Our planet is our most valuable natural resource. While this may seem an obvious fact to most of us, the realities of today show that the battle against climate change is an ongoing one that is just beginning.
My adopted hometown of Miami, FL already experiences significant flooding from rising sea levels due to climate change, but it is only one of many major metropolises across the globe that will be exposed to the harmful effects of climate change over time. Even outside of coastal cities, increasingly severe droughts, flooding events, and storms will impact traditionally susceptible regions worldwide.
With that in mind, there are many opportunities for us to engage in adaptation, innovation, and mitigation strategies that can protect the places we love, Though the forecasts are ominous, we can be resilient in the face of this planetary challenge. I hope this special issue of SEVENSEAS informs readers of both the science behind climate change, and the efforts they can support to protect our planet in the coming years and decades. It has never been more important for us to stand on the side of science, research, and the benefits of these endeavors we enjoy in 2017.
Austin Horne
