FROM THE TOS PRESIDENT
Paula Bontempi

Dear TOS members,

Community. Resiliency. Perseverance.

It’s easy to lose sight of these things But there is nothing more powerful than those who embrace the spirit of family. We stand together—a diverse community who are linked by social and professional ties, share a range of perspectives, and support each other.

As many of you are acutely aware, there are events happening throughout the world that move us to our core. While I cannot control the negativity, the rhetoric, and the claims that go unsubstantiated, I can reassure you that The Oceanography Society and its members will always work in concert to act in accordance with our core values. Hateful incidents will not stop overnight, but rest assured we will address them together.

TOS has many members who work in and towards diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice, and who support and are members of the LGBTQIA++ communities. In this regard the TOS family makes an incredible commitment; but we must work towards a true, cohesive and integrated DEIAJ strategy as a society to address our future. As such, I reiterate and reaffirm my commitment to working with you all to ensure that TOS is an institution and a community that rejects racism, hate crimes, and discrimination in all forms. I hope all of you do as well, as an organization does not change with one person.

Following such an affirmation is action. For decades I have struggled with how an organization or institution goes about handling horrific events of sexism, racism, and discrimination without putting the burden on victims to speak, thus making the vulnerable more vulnerable. We bring change together, by believing in each other, by listening and hearing each other, and infusing this ethos of respect into all aspects of our mission. We must ask what policies are in place that enhance or detract from equity and inclusivity, and how do we, The Oceanography Society, work together to ensure we do more than simply embrace, enable, and make visible certain identities? Together we witness specific groups being targeted to the point that individuals fear for their safety and freedom. Together, we must continue to examine our language, institutional climate, policies, and collective power to better understand ways we can deconstruct systemic inequities and construct an equitable global environment.

TOS stands in support of our early career professionals. You are our future. The involuntary termination of many early career federal employees in the US alone will impact our shared future. The pause and termination of federal funding to support research in academic and other institutions triggers firings of professional and technical staff and release of students. These people are the next generation of explorers and ocean literate leaders who were prepared to dedicate their lives to understanding and protecting our planet, inventing new technologies, educating the public, fostering new partnerships, and sustainably managing Earth’s resources. Solutions to scientific grand challenges and economic prosperity live within their minds, and the future is bleak without their promise.

As a professional scientific society, The Oceanography Society stands by its core values—supporting a community that encourages the open expression and exchange of ideas, that is free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and that is welcoming to all members and to those who participate in its activities. In pursuit of its commitment, TOS is dedicated to the equality of opportunity and treatment for all participants.

TOS is made up of members from all nations. Any individual, business, or organization interested in ocean sciences is encouraged to join and participate in the activities, meetings, and benefits of the society.

The power of TOS is that we can stand together as a membership and as an independent voice. We do not have to heed to the rules and guidance of any one nation. The nature of science is to question what is unknown or unclear. I encourage each of you to continue to speak your art, your song, your words, your signs in any language—it is a gift.

With hope,

Paula

P.S. I refer membership to the Oceanography special issue on Building Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Ocean Sciences for committed actions and information.