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imp>ortaiit to the agricultural industry. Although by no means solved, excellent beginnings 

 have been made in understanding such changes in the climate system. The Insurance 

 Industry has become very interested in ocean storms, especially hurricanes. 



In dosing, I wish to say that I believe that much stronger linkages must be developed 

 between scientists and congressional p>olicy makers. Sound policy decisions should be 

 based on the best available scientific information. However, environmenteil change is 

 occurring rapidly and with the grim prospects of world population increase, the pace will 

 continue to quicken. Soimd policy requires the best available scientific concepts and data 

 which take time to generate. It is critical that these are produced ahead of time to assist 

 with policy decisions. As I have mentioned earlier, the ocean is the sum of a complex 

 interplay of various components that are linked to other parts of the Earth system. Study of 

 the ocean thus requires much closer partnerships between the public, their congressional 

 representatives, government and state agencies, universities and industry, all of which 

 bring valuable and vitally different perspectives to the overall understanding of the global 

 environment In certain cases this should be expanded to the intemationad community 

 such as illustrated by the Ocean Drilling Program. The Ocean Drilling Progran\ after all 

 has taught us, amongst many things, that we live on a planet that has constantly undergone 

 dynamic change. 



The United States has been the world leader in marine science research since World War U, 

 and this has led to a remarkably rapid increase in the understanding of the oceans. There 

 has been a marked decrease in the last 15 years in the funding levels (in constant dollars) 

 that support marine science research in this nation. The oceans are far too important 

 economically, environmentally, culturally and aesthetically to seriously impair further 

 understanding. The nation must not continue to erode its science and technology base. It 

 is difficult to predict future directions in science, especially that related to resource 

 utilization, conservation and the economy of the nation. However it is crucial that the 

 United States does not export its current leadership role in ocean research. 



James P. Kennett 



Marine Science Institute and 



Department of Geological Sciences 



University of California Santa Barbara 



Santa Barbara, CA 93106 



(805) 893-3764 



Kennett@msi.ucsb.edu 



