. . .
�Response strategies should be based on sound data.� (17.98)
�States, in accordance with provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on marine scientific research, commit themselves to improve the understanding of the marine environment and its role on global processes.� (17.100)
��Should carry out analysis, assessments and systematic observation of the role of the oceans as a carbon sink.� (17.102)
��Recognition of the value of Antarctica as an area for the conduct of scientific research, in particular research essential to understanding the global environment.� (17.105)
�States should cooperate in the development of procedures that allow for comparable analysis and soundness of data.� (17.111)
�States individually or through bilateral and multilateral cooperation and with support, as appropriate, of international organizations, whether subregional, regional or global, should develop and implement comprehensive (research) programmes.� (17.113)
�Systematic collection of data on marine environmental parameters will be needed to apply integrated management approaches.� (17.96)
Agenda 21, Chapter 17, Section E
Addressing Critical Uncertainties for the Management of the Marine Environment and Climate Change
One of the concerns of Agenda 21 is with the areas of research into the marine environment and climate change. This is because the rational use and development of coastal areas, all seas and marine resources, as well as conservation requires the ability to determine the present state of the environment and to predict future conditions. This section has focused on the integration of different national research programmes and institutions around the world in order to achieve their common objective of efficient research. An example of where work into integrated research can be found is at GIWA whose aim is to produce a comprehensive and integrated global assessment of international waters.
What are the main issues of section E?
Periodic assessment of the marine environment.
The main research centres are from the UN in the form of the IOC and GESAMP, and from the EC in the MAST programmes. Although there are a number of smaller institutes such as AWI who also assess the marine environment, but without the resources of the larger institutes they work on smaller areas.
Review of existing regional and global databases and the strengthening of existing research facilities.
This is also done by large organisations, such as the UN�s IODE which is also part of the IOC. There are also a number of individual scientists that have reviewed databases such Sindre Langaas and have their papers on the web.
Creation of national multisectoral information bases linked with existing data to ensure comparability in research and the co-operation and 
exchange of data and information, and its storage and archiving.
IODE also helps with the creation of multisectoral information bases, as does the GIWA project with funding from the World Bank through the GEF. ICSPRO is a good independent co-ordinating mechanism.
Sub-regional, regional and global observing systems.
Using information gathered to provide improved forecasts.
Through GOSIC the three global observing systems are organised.
Development of an integrated regional systematic long-term observation programme for the marine environment mainly concerning climate change.
As well as GOSIC through the GCOS programme, the IPCC also concerns climate change.
Strategy for providing training and technical assistance for developing countries through training, education and mutual assistance programmes and to ensure full participation by them.
Through programmes such as TEMA and through lending by the World Bank (http://worldbank.org/) to support their development goals.
Co-operation in adopting special measures to cope with and adapt to climate change and sea level rise.
Again, through projects by the IPCC, but also through individual governmental projects such as the UK government�s Climate Change Programme.
Freely available information and data for Antarctica.
Through programmes such as TAP and SCAR.
Why do critical uncertainties for the marine environment and climate change need addressing?
With scientist finding proof for global temperature increasing and predictions of further increases and climate changes (WWF).
Glaciers all over the world are thinning at a rate of 0.5 to 1.5 metres per year New Scientist).
There is now so much evidence for global warming and the associated climate changes that there is no doubt that it is happening (WRI).
With the now certainty of climate change and all that is related to it (sea level rise, sea defence breakthrough etc.) we need to assess the situation. To do this with have to find out how the marine environment is now and then to determine how fast, if indeed it is, degrading through periodic assessment. To help this assessment all information currently available has to be processed and then placed where it can be easily accessed.