The degradation of the GOOS network poses significant risks to global weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation. Without sustained observations, errors in ocean warming estimates and sea-level projections will increase, leading to less reliable cyclone warnings and seasonal forecasts. This could have cascading effects on agriculture, energy planning, and humanitarian responses. Marine heatwave warnings, critical for fisheries management, and data essential for hurricane intensity predictions would also be compromised. The economic impact of reduced ocean monitoring is substantial, as extreme weather events linked to ocean conditions already cause billions in damages annually. The loss of this system would leave societies less equipped to respond to climate-related challenges.