SOCCO is a South African integrated science and innovation programme in support of the Department of Science and Innovation’s (DSI) Decadal and Strategic Plans.
We aim to strengthen South Africa’s climate impact as a global citizen with a clear commitment to ocean and climate stewardship.
This book presents a state-of-the-art overview of the role that Antarctica and the Southern Ocean play as integral parts of the Earth System. Several SOCCO staff members contributed to the contents of the book.
Dr. Thomas Ryan-Keogh
Staff
In March this year the Southern Ocean Carbon-Carbon Observatory (SOCCO) research programme based at the CSIR Smart Society, Holistic Climate Change Division released their Phase IV Integrated Science and Innovation Strategy: 2022-2027. More than a decade ago, the important (yet drastically understudied) role of the Southern Ocean in global climate was recognised, which together with South Africa’s comparative geographic advantage made a compelling argument to initiate a South African programme to study the Southern Ocean carbon – climate system.
Dr. Sandy Thomalla
Staff
The recent announcement from the National Geographic on the 8th June 2021 that the Southern Ocean will be recognised as the world’s fifth ocean, alongside the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Arctic, has caused quite a stir amongst scientists who have specialised their research in this unique and mesmerising environment. The reason for this is that they have classified the Southern Ocean as the waters below 60°S.
Dr. Thomas Ryan-Keogh
Staff
SOCCO is a South African born programme whose Integrated Science and Innovation Strategy links the value chain from basic science to societal impact in technological innovation and policy. In addition SOCCO serves as a technological innovation system and an end-to-end Human Capital Development platform. Continue Reading
SOCCO has setup five world class research facilities (ocean robotics, bio-optics and biogeochemistry, CO2, trace metal biogeochemistry and high resolution modelling) to address our multidisciplinary science objectives. These facilities now form part of the core of SOCCO as well as the South African ocean – climate science landscape stimulating funded international collaborations. Continue Reading
Check out publications from SOCCO. Continue Reading