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This executive summary previews a forthcoming book on the economic valuation of ocean services and the consequences of global environmental change. It identifies six primary threats to the ocean—acidification, warming, hypoxia, sea level rise, pollution, and overuse of resources—and argues that these stressors often interact synergistically, accelerating ecosystem degradation. The document advocates for a shift from traditional cost-benefit analysis to insurance-based risk models to account for catastrophic tipping points and recommends the appointment of a UN High Commissioner for Oceans to coordinate global governance.

This research paper preview examines the economic cost of avoidable climate damage to the ocean, comparing a low-emissions scenario (RCP2.6) with a business-as-usual scenario (RCP6). It focuses on five priceable categories of ocean services to estimate the financial difference between these two pathways by 2050 and 2100.

This report presents the first global, map-based indicator of potential threats to coral reefs, finding that 58% of the world's reefs are at risk. Southeast Asia is identified as the most threatened region, while the Pacific is the least. The primary drivers of degradation are overexploitation and coastal development. The report highlights a critical lack of adequate marine protected areas and calls for integrated coastal management to preserve biodiversity and the economic services reefs provide to nearly half a billion people.

This executive summary from the World Resources Institute details the threats facing global coral reefs, emphasizing the combined impact of local human activities and global climate change. It highlights the critical socio-economic value of reefs for millions of people and the inadequacy of current marine protected areas (MPAs) in ensuring reef resilience.

The WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities is a program of the World Resources Institute that works to transform urban areas into resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon environments. With a team of over 350 experts, the center focuses primarily on the global south, employing an integrated approach across land use, mobility, and energy efficiency to influence cities in over 75 countries.