The 2026 cohort of the Masters in Operational Oceanography program welcomed guest speaker Dan Rizza, Director of the Program on Sea Level Rise at Climate Central, for a special presentation on climate information products and decision-support tools designed to help communities understand and respond to the impacts of climate change.
Rizza leads Climate Central’s Program on Sea Level Rise, overseeing the development of tools and resources that help coastal stakeholders visualize, communicate, and prepare for sea level rise and coastal flooding. His work focuses on translating complex climate science into accessible products that support planning, risk assessment, and resilience efforts in coastal communities. (Climate Central)
During his presentation, Rizza introduced students to several of Climate Central’s flagship products, including sea level rise mapping tools, coastal risk visualizations, and climate data services that are used by governments, planners, emergency managers, scientists, and journalists. He highlighted how these products combine scientific rigor with intuitive visualizations to make climate risks understandable and actionable for decision-makers. (Climate Central)
Students learned how Climate Central’s products support evidence-based planning for coastal resilience by providing localized information on flooding hazards, future sea level scenarios, and climate impacts. Rizza also discussed the growing importance of climate services in helping communities adapt to changing environmental conditions and manage long-term risks. (Climate Central)
The presentation offered Masters in Operational Oceanography students valuable insight into how operational environmental data, predictive tools, and stakeholder-focused communication can be combined to address real-world challenges. The discussion reinforced the critical role that oceanographers and climate scientists play in transforming scientific observations into information products that support informed decision-making.
The Masters in Operational Oceanography program regularly invites leaders from government, academia, and industry to share practical perspectives on the application of ocean and climate science. Rizza’s presentation provided students with a compelling example of how innovative data products can bridge the gap between scientific research and societal needs in an era of increasing climate risk.