Our Ocean Future
Depends On
Our ocean is our planet’s life support system, absorbing 90% of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions and buffering us from the worst climate impacts. But that safety net is being pushed to the brink.
Today, the ocean is facing new threats and the consequences could be catastrophic for communities across the country. The Trump administration is promoting policies that will worsen the climate crisis, rolling back marine protections, and attacking the institutions that were designed to safeguard our ocean and coastal resources.
Protecting our ocean must be a priority.
Why the Ocean Matters
Our Health and Safety Depend on It
With nearly 40% of Americans living in coastal communities, we need smart ocean and coastal policies to ensure families and communities are safe from climate disasters and extreme weather events like hurricanes and coastal flooding.
In 2025, our ocean was hotter than in any year on record. Warming ocean temperatures and rising sea levels are causing stronger storms, which are already costing lives and devastating communities.
Our Economy Depends on It
Our ocean powers local economies across the country. Four in ten Americans live near the coasts, with coastal counties generating $10 trillion in goods and services and supporting more than 54 million jobs.
Exploiting our ocean and ignoring the climate crisis threaten our blue economy and increase costs for Americans. Just last year, climate disasters cost Americans nearly $1 trillion, 3% of our GDP.