← Latest briefing

Science

UK to join EU ocean monitoring scheme to track extreme weather

The Guardian reports that the UK will join the EU-led OceanEye initiative to enhance extreme weather forecasting.

The short version

  • UK Environment Secretary Angela Eagle will announce that Britain is joining the EU's OceanEye ocean observation programme.[The Guardian]
  • The initiative aims to improve extreme weather forecasting and build a real-time digital replica model of the ocean by 2030.[The Guardian]
  • Under the partnership, the UK will share increased amounts of weather and climate data from the Met Office and other agencies with the EU and Canada.[The Guardian]
  • Global monitoring networks still face data gaps at the poles and deep ocean, as well as vulnerabilities to shifting US funding priorities.[The Guardian]

Key facts

  • UK Environment Secretary Angela Eagle is scheduled to announce the UK's participation in OceanEye at a meeting in New York.[The Guardian]
  • The EU launched OceanEye in June with €92m in funding to develop a real-time digital ocean replica by 2030.[The Guardian]
  • The UK will expand its data-sharing practices, providing more information from the Met Office and other bodies to the EU and Canada.[The Guardian]
  • The United States reversed a proposal to cancel $368m in funding for its Ocean Observatories Initiative following opposition from scientists.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • Global ocean observation capacity remains vulnerable due to coverage gaps in polar and deep ocean regions, as well as shifting US administrative funding priorities.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.