Top Scientists Warn America to Double Ocean Study Effort: Scientists Urge Stepped-Up Ocean
A committee of noted scientists warned yesterday that: the United States must double1 its oceanic research in the' next 10 years if it is to avert-a serious military, political,, and economic crisis, j After a one-year study, the ÐÊ Committee on Oceanography of the National Academy of 'Sciences Û¢ National Research 'Council concluded that a much greater knowledge of the deep seas is needed if this country is to:</br></br>In its first report, the Committee outlined a 651-million-dollar "minimumÛ program for the next decade. With the ÛÏAction on a scale appreciably less thart that recommended will jeopardize the position of oceanography In the United States relative to ... other major nations, thereby accentuating serious military and political dangers, and placing the Nation at a disadvantage in the future use of the resources of the sea.Û</br></br>The Committee stated that the need for studying the oceans Avas far more urgent than the need for exploring outer space since the missilelaunching submarine ÛÏis probably the most potent weapon system threatening our security today."</br></br>ÛÏWe know less about many regions of the oceans today than we know about the lunar surface,Û it pointed out. At a pre-release press conference last Thursday, members of the Committee reported that the Soviet Union was putting more money and manpower into oceanographic research than this Nation and would soon be*the world leaders in this field if the U.S. did not step up its effort.</br></br>They have already ÛÏforcedÛ the U.S. out of the field of underwater seismic research, it was disclosed. The Russians are so far ahead, U.S. scientists are not reporting or publishing anything new in this area of study.