Urban development is a major cause for eco-degradation in many coastal regions. Understanding urbanization dynamics and underlying driving factors is crucial for urban planning and management. Land-use dynamic degree indices and intensity analysis were used to measure land changes occurred in 1990, 2002, 2009, and 2017 in the coastal zone around Quanzhou bay, which is a rapidly urbanized bay in Southeast China. The comprehensive land-use dynamic degree and interval level intensity analysis both revealed that land change was accelerating across the three time intervals in a three-kilometer-wide zone along the coastal line (zone A), while land change was fastest during the second time interval 2002–2009 in a separate terrestrial area within coastal zone (zone B). Driven by urbanization, built-up gains and cropland losses were active for all time intervals in both zones. Mudflat losses were active except in the first time interval in zone A due to the intensive sea reclamation. The gain of mangrove was active while the loss of mangrove is dormant for all three intervals in zone A. Transition level analysis further revealed the similarities and differences in processes within patterns of land changes for both zones. The transition from cropland to built-up was systematically targeted and stationary while the transition from woodland to built-up was systematically avoiding transition in both zones. Built-up tended to target aquaculture for the second and third time intervals in zone A but avoid Aquaculture for all intervals in zone B. Land change in zone A was more significant than that in zone B during the second and third time intervals at three-level intensity. The application of intensity analysis can enhance our understanding of the patterns and processes in land changes and suitable land development plans in the Quanzhou bay area. This type of investigation is useful to provide information for developing sound land use policy to achieve urban sustainability in similar coastal areas.

This paper highlights the urgent need to accelerate research and action on ocean carbon sinks through human intervention, known as the Global Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (Global-ONCE) Programme, as a vital strategy in global efforts to mitigate climate change. Achieving “net zero” by 2050 cannot rely on emission reductions alone, emphasizing the necessity of complementary approaches. Global-ONCE’s mission extends beyond scientific exploration. It embodies a profound commitment to protecting and restoring blue carbon ecosystems, as well as implementing ocean-based solutions that are sustainable, equitable, and inclusive. Early career ocean professionals (ECOPs) are at the heart of these efforts, and their innovative approaches, technical expertise, and passion make them indispensable leaders in advancing ONCE initiatives. ECOPs bridge the gap between science and society, playing a relevant role in integrating cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and community-driven action to address climate threats. By bringing together diverse perspectives and leveraging their interdisciplinary expertise, ECOPs ensure that ONCE strategies are grounded in scientific rigor and practical feasibility. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, ECOPs not only spearhead research and innovation but also inspire collective action to safeguard our oceans. This paper amplifies the critical role of ECOPs as agents of change and calls for a unified global commitment to harness the ocean’s potential for a climate-resilient future.

The development of offshore renewables is globally recognised as an essential part of the solution to address the climate crisis. In the development of these new technologies, we retain the responsibility and best practices for assessing potential environmental and socio-economic effects, mitigating unacceptable changes, and being prepared to reverse course if we find that irreparable damage is being done. The positive vision for offshore renewables development presented in this abstract was developed partly based on UN DOALOS regional workshops outcomes and will be a part of the upcoming UN World Ocean Assessment III, chapter on offshore renewables. It presents the best practices and tools needed to realise this vision by 2030, 2040, and 2050.Achieving this vision requires a set of best practices and tools, as well as filling gaps in our knowledge of offshore renewables. A plan for applying the tools and addressing the gaps globally is presented that includes an implementation schedule. The positive offshore renewable energy vision must encompass multiple sectors and cross-sectoral activities related to the ocean in a sustainable manner, including environmental sustainability, economic growth, social inclusion and equity, contributing to a sustainable blue economy in 2050. Increasing coordination and cooperation among diverse marine sectors will maximise the sustainable use of the oceans. A large-scale roll-out of sustainable offshore technologies worldwide will require promoting offshore renewable energy technologies in developing countries, including concessional and preferential terms, mutual understanding, and fair equity sharing.The vision predicts the surface of the oceans occupied by offshore renewable energy to increase 10-fold in 2050 as compared to 2024, while technology advancements will allow the energy yield to increase 40-fold by moving further away from shore. Multiple sources of ORE (offshore wind, offshore floating solar, ocean thermal energy conversion, tidal stream, wave energy) will be developed and will need to share offshore space with other industries, such as aquaculture, hydrogen production, and critical mineral recovery, to optimise ocean space use. Nature-inclusive and environmentally friendly designs will help to avoid and minimise environmental impacts, increase biodiversity, resulting in climate change mitigation and alleviation of the biodiversity crisis.The vision requires that most governments will adopt renewable energy goals, including offshore renewable energy and the rapid scale-up of ocean energy technologies beyond offshore bottom-fixed wind, including offshore floating wind, wave, tidal, offshore floating solar and OTEC (as well as combinations of these), with the ambition of 4 terawatts of ocean energy installed worldwide by 2050, contributing significantly to limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

As climate change accelerates, ocean negative carbon emission (ONCE) technologies are emerging as essential tools to enhance carbon sequestration and storage in the ocean. However, effective implementation of ONCE strategies requires technical feasibility, social acceptability, and robust governance. Marine social science offers critical insights into these sociotechnical aspects, facilitating a comprehensive approach to developing ONCE initiatives. This research examines how marine social science can support ONCE strategies through public engagement, ethical frameworks, and interdisciplinary governance.Understanding public perception is essential to foster support and trust in ONCE efforts. Marine social scientists analyse public attitudes, misconceptions, and concerns, informing outreach strategies that engage communities and enhance public acceptance. Additionally, marine social science highlights the ethical considerations of ONCE, particularly regarding environmental justice issues affecting coastal and marginalised communities. This research emphasises the importance of including impacted communities in decision-making processes by advocating for transparency, fairness, and collaborative engagement.Marine social science also plays a vital role in shaping policy frameworks for ONCE, addressing regulatory challenges and contributing to adaptive governance models that safeguard both human and environmental interests, such as climate-smart marine spatial planning and ocean multi-use. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, marine social scientists work alongside ecologists, technologists, and policymakers to create responsible strategies grounded in both scientific and social insights. Furthermore, transparent monitoring frameworks supported by social science build credibility and accountability, enabling independent evaluation by multi-stakeholders.This research underscores that ONCE strategies must integrate the values, ethics, and concerns of affected communities to achieve broad social acceptance and environmental integrity. By facilitating equitable policy, governance and societal understanding, marine social science helps guide these strategies toward responsible and sustainable climate solutions.

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