The University of Massachusetts Boston and Battelle Memorial Institute have formed an exploratory alliance for the purpose of becoming a leader in the complex intersection of issues that are the focus of the university’s newly established Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate, and Security (CIOCS).
“CIOCS seeks to expand upon the emerging awareness of policymakers in the defense and intelligence communities that climate and ocean change are critical factors in our human and national security considerations,” Executive Director Robbin Peach said. “Founded on the principle that through collaborative alliances we can better address threats that continue to mount as climate and oceans drastically change, the Collaborative Institute exists to develop and communicate high-value intellectual policy and technical expertise to help stabilize the health of our atmosphere, marine ecosystems, and coastal communities. We are thrilled to have the world-class experience of Battelle as a collaborator.”
“Our involvement with CIOCS at this level illustrates our commitment to forming local but world changing collaborations,” said Leslie-Ann McGee, director of Battelle’s Ocean and Coastal Solutions. Battelle is an international science and technology nonprofit enterprise that explores emerging areas of science, develops and commercializes technology, and manages laboratories. The Battelle Duxbury campus is a world-renowned environmental and marine science research facility.
CIOCS is currently expanding participants in the research and policy debates on oceans, climate, and security to include much broader government representation and civilian participation, particularly universities, NGOs, industry, independent think tanks, and the media; identifying, developing, and communicating the unique role and impact of oceans in the climate change-security continuum; and undertaking special research and policy development on urbanized coastal regions, particularly the 50 mile in and 50 mile out “white water-to-blue water” urbanized zones.