Against the background of efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and changing international circumstances, various marine sectors are expected to contribute to industrial development, regional revitalization, environmental protection, and boosting global competitiveness. However, many marine industrial technologies have yet to be commercialized. Therefore, at the Ocean Technology Forum, we gathered opinions from a wide range in industry, government, and academia, and compiled the 2022 (Reiwa 4) Ocean Technology Forum Proposals. In this article, I will introduce its content which covers individual issues in marine science and technology as well as ways for building an environment to meet these issues.

Seafloor sediments record past climatic and environmental conditions. Here, the authors have reconstructed the past environment experienced by the ancestors of Japanese people. This paleoclimatic/paleoenvironmental data was analyzed in conjunction with knowledge from anthropology, archaeology, history, sociology, and economics. Many of the major social events experienced by Japanese people’s ancestors were accompanied by extreme climatic events, and at present, we are in the midst of a "warming version of an extreme climatic event." In order to overcome this challenge, we must call upon the "wisdom" that Homo sapiens is known for and act accordingly.

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development includes a program to promote activities by Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs). The program is divided into four themes and regions, and this article will introduce ECOP-related initiatives in Asia and Japan. An awareness survey of ECOPs in Asia revealed challenges faced by them, including a lack of funding for activities and employment. Throughout this decade (2021-2030), a mechanism is needed to build networks of ECOPs, provide the information these professionals seek, and develop these young human resources who will support the future of the marine-related sector.