Expanding the integration of natural and social sciences in marine affairs and policy

Researchers working in the practical field of marine affairs and policy employ scientific approaches to help resolve problems arising out of human uses of the oceans. Research in this field enables informed decision-making about promoting the sustainable use of the ocean and its associated coastal resources, while encouraging the further integration of analytical approaches from both the natural and social sciences. This focus is essential for characterizing trade-offs like those envisioned in Elkington’s triple-bottom-line framework (environmental quality, social justice, economic prosperity) used to identify and choose policies for achieving sustainability. We argue that integrated assessment models should be improved as means for evaluating the expected benefits and risks of human reliance upon and use of the oceans over long horizons and broad geographic regions. Two of the most pressing issues in this field where such integration could make substantial gains include: understanding how the adverse effects of climate change on the ocean can be mitigated and conceptualizing how the ocean moderates global climate change.