| All nations are profoundly influenced by the world oceans in many ways - some direct and obvious, others indirect and more subtle. Even those countries without ocean coastline feel the influence of the ocean, for example, as it affects world-wide weather and climate and In the availability of foreign goods and access to distant markets. Some influences of the ocean are benefitial; others may be detrimental to human activities ; most are beyond our ability to control, except in very limited ways, but, forewarned with a knowledge of the state of the ocean and even a limited prediction of future trends, it may often be possible to maximize the beneficial effects and to avoid or guard effectively against those which could be detrimental. The Integrated Global... |
