NOS International Goals
NOS International Goals
The NOS International Strategy recognizes the dynamic nature of oceans, coasts, and atmosphere and the need for a comprehensive ecosystem-based management approach to build coastal resilience capacity in light of the interconnectedness of society and natural ecosystems. NOS will deliver its products and services using an integrated approach to address the competing natural and human forces that may undermine coastal resiliency.
This Strategy integrates the engagement of NOS program offices in international activities while maximizing benefits to the U.S. and global community. This integrated engagement will be implemented through five resilience goals:
Observe and Predict the Earth System
Strengthening the earth observing system is required at local, regional, national, and global scales, and will provide essential understanding of the dynamic and interconnected role of the oceans, coasts, and atmosphere in the global ecosystem. It will allow the forecasting of future environmental conditions and management of human impacts on those ecosystems. 
Improve and Maintain the Viability of Marine and Coastal Ecosystem
Improving the viability of marine and coastal ecosystems will require observing and understanding ecosystem and human use trends, utilizing this knowledge to inform the development and application of best management practices, and to increase the productivity and stability of these ecosystems.
Mitigate and Adapt to Impacts of Climate Change and Variability
Improving adaptation, preparedness, and response strategies will address diverse regional impacts of climate variability (such as potentially catastrophic coastal hazards, ecosystem change, and loss of sea ice) to promote resilient coastal communities.
Reduce Vulnerability to Natural and Anthropogenic Hazards
Reducing vulnerability to hazards will require mobilizing data and capabilities to improve understanding of threats, target regional approaches to diverse vulnerabilities, and communication with vulnerable stakeholders and communities to promote coastal resilience strategies for risk reduction.
Promote Safe and Environmentally Sound Navigation
Promoting safe and environmentally sound navigation will require enhanced access to hydrographic, geodetic, and oceanographic data to increase the accuracy of forecasts, availability of electronic nautical charts, and timely geospatial positioning information that is critical for air, sea, and surface transportation in addition to coastal management.
Each goal builds on (a) NOS’ and NOAA’s existing capabilities for observations, modeling and predictions, and research and development to support social and economic decisions that are essential to ecosystem management and sustainable coastal communities; (b) world class best management practices; (c) more than 25 formal international partnership arrangements and international outreach which provide platforms to maximize peer-to-peer exchanges and capacity building both in the US and abroad; (d) leadership opportunities to shape international technical standards and policy; and (e) substantial existing activities supported through a range of partnerships and new activities that will build synergies and reinforce activities across the five resilience goals.
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