Can We Predict the Ocean’s Future? The Power of Digital Twins

Digital excellence of EU in general and Estonia specifically is extending into the marine environment, thus transforming climate science into practical tools for adaptation and sustainable development. National and European initiatives are developing Digital Twins of the Ocean (DTOs) for offshore renewable energy, extreme event forecasting, marine ecology and climate-related services. Beyond rising temperatures and sea levels, climate change is reshaping weather patterns, the frequency and intensity of extreme events, and seasonal sea-ice conditions. These changes create new challenges and opportunities for coastal protection, maritime safety and marine energy development. DTOs allow us to explore "What if?" scenarios across different timescales. How will marine ecosystems respond to climate change and offshore developments? How will future conditions affect marine energy resources and coastal infrastructure? By connecting long-term climate projections with short-term forecasting systems, these technologies help anticipate risks and support decisions. The ambition is to move beyond describing climate change towards understanding its consequences, from tomorrow’s weather to long-term adaptation.