Clean Power Plants More than 20 percent of new, large power plants built . This means pressuring governments and corporations to change their policies and business practices. ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands The wind over the canal stirred up whitecaps and rattled cafe umbrellas. If countries are committed to well-planned and responsibly developed ocean-based renewable energy, it could provide one-tenth of global electricity demand and save over 3 billion tons of CO2annually while also helping coastal communities to thrive. Weve also called out the UK government for their failure to act fast enough on the climate emergency. The report aims to provide practical guidance on using global commitments like the Paris climate agreement, policy frameworks and financial mechanisms to unleash the potential of ocean-climate solutions. In this way, protecting 30% of our ocean will continue to help us and nature weather the impacts of climate change that are already in motion. Oceans also absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which helps to keep our climate stable. The oceans are experiencing "major stress" from climate change, according to Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed. All countries need to move their economies away from fossil fuels as soon as possible. Core to all climate change solutions is reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which must get to zero as soon as possible. The piece then shifts to recognizing the ocean solutions that have the power to combat climate change. (this is the emissions count we need to stay within according to the Paris agreement). The assessment resulted in five evidence-based key messages to guide ocean-based solutions to address climate change. Environmental Science Established in September 2018, the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (HLP) is a uniqueinitiative of 14 serving heads of government committed to catalysing bold, pragmatic solutions for oceanhealth and wealth that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and build a better future for peopleand the planet. Because both forests and oceans play vitally important roles in regulating our climate, increasing the natural ability of forests and oceans to absorb carbon dioxide can also help stop global warming. To work, all of these solutions need strong international cooperation between governments and businesses, including the most polluting sectors. Protecting oceans and the life in them is ultimately a way to protect ourselves from climate change. They can, and must, be designed for ocean and coastal communities, ecosystems, and sectors and implemented with consideration for the unique governance, environmental conditions, and natural resources found in the ocean. For many of these communities, climate change is a fight for life itself. Honor A Loved One's Milestone Or Memory With A Donation In Their Name. The authors define four main solution areas: mitigation, adaptation, protection, and strengthening resilience. Industries including banks, car and energy companies also make profits from fossil fuels. As the leaders of Norway and Palau two countries where the vitality of the ocean is critical we understand how the climate crisis affects our citizens, along with the rest of the world. Since 1880, sea levels have already risen by about 21-24 centimeters and it won't . ansport, fashion, food and other lifestyle choices all have different impacts on the climate. Communities in the Pacific Islands are facing sea level rises and more extreme weather. Planting trees in the right places or giving land back to nature through rewilding schemes is a good place to start. We take the security of your data seriously. Reducing car use, switching to electric vehicles and minimising plane travel will not only help stop climate change, it will reduce air pollution too. Image: Martin Dawson Thanks to meticulous research, the IPCC has adopted methodologies for measuring how protecting these places can contribute to countries commitments to reduce emissions while also generating other benefits. All governments should incorporate ocean-based solutions in their national climate commitments in 2020, and in their actions to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. We must learn from local experience as we develop the solutions to combat the very serious climate crisis we face and bring an inclusive perspective into theUN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.. Climate change has a huge impact on the environment, but we can also turn to the environment for some of the greatest solutions to climate change. OCEAN-BASED SOLUTIONS Four types of actions to reduce the scale and impacts of climate change are considered (Figure 2): (1) reduction of atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, (2) solar radiation management, (3) protection of biota and ecosystems, and (4) manipulation of biological and ecological adaptation. We can deploy ocean-based climate solutions now to help us keep within sight of the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C and keep our ocean and coastal communities thriving. What are ocean-based climate solutions? This process is known as ocean acidification. "We are starting to see rapid changes to ocean chemistry, marine ecosystems, ocean livelihoods, weather patterns worldwide, and natural disasters globally that impact us all.. And for many countries around the world, including the UK, climate change is having more and more of a negative impact on people. World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use. The ocean covers about 70% of the planet, and it naturally takes up carbon dioxide. Phytoplankton are the foundation of the ocean food web and the . These reductions could. All Rights Reserved. An expert in coral reef ecology, marine fisheries and climate change, Dr. Baum's research group works to advance understanding of ocean climate change impacts, and inform and catalyze climate solutions. Ocean-based climate solutions could deliver as much as 21% of the emissions reductions needed to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2050. The ocean has already absorbed over 90% of the excess heat trapped by the rising concentration of greenhouse gases. Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. 8:19 AM EDT, Mon September 23, 2019, Children worldwide unite in global climate strike. The impacts associated with sea level rise and stronger storm surges . Young people offer urgent moral clarity to do-nothing adults. A World Economic Forum (WEF) Agenda piece was published last week byEmily Kelly, Andr Hoffmann Fellow at COS, andElena Perez, Environmental Resilience Lead at WEF. With such a huge crisis facing the entire planet, the international response should be swift and decisive. Greenpeace, Canonbury Villas, London N1 2PN. As an alternative to fossil fuels, this has the potential to cut the most emissions as much as 5.4 gigatons of CO2e annually by 2050. There is nowhere to hide; the impacts of the climate emergency will be felt from the deepest ocean ravines to the highest mountaintops; from the small islands in the middle of the Pacific, to the largest nations on every continent. Mitigation Marine ecosystems can store a significant amount of carbon, which could help offset carbon emissions while industries transition to zero-emission practices. The United States, with its vast and diverse ocean and coastal ecosystems, can also be a champion on these issues as it seeks to step back up to a position of global climate leadership. These include technologies like solar, wind, wave, tidal and geothermal power. 1) Despite a rising population, it argues that food demand has to decrease by shifting away from carbon-intensive, meat-heavy diets. As climate change threatens food security, livelihoods, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, countries with coastal blue carbon ecosystems are increasingly looking into Ocean-based climate actions are a critical part of the solution that are right in front of us and ready to go. Countries around the world have already created replicable and scalable examples. Stand with Concern in ending climate change 1. This causes changes in water temperature, ocean acidification and deoxygenation, leading to changes in oceanic circulation and chemistry, rising sea levels, extreme weather, and changes in the diversity and abundance of marine species. UK-based Seafields Solutions is in the late planning stages of a project that aims at enhancing the natural marine carbon cycle by growing and harvesting a particular ocean-borne plant called . He told event participants that climate solutions need to be workable in both developed and developing nations, and come from all sectors, including shipping, oil/gas, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, offshore renewables. Polar melting harms the ocean in two ways: it turns a white surface into a dark surface, and it dumps massive quantities of fresh water into the salty seas, propelling ocean acidification.. It is also crucial to protect and restore mangroves, seagrasses, salt marshes, and other coastal and marine ecosystems that face a huge threat from over-development. Development, however, must be done responsibly, considering fishing, fragile ecosystems, and other ocean priorities. The Ocean as a Climate Solution A healthy and sustainable ocean provides valuable benefits to human society, acting as a carbon sink, oxygen provider, global network, food source and cultural anchor to billions. Change in water temperatures can directly affect the development and growth of most fish and cephalopods (such as octopus and squid). From offshore wind to wave and tidal energy, the ocean is an abundant source of renewable power, and we have the technologies to tap into it. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from todays greatest global challenges. 1. appreciated. The ocean can be a vibrant source of inspiration and hope, as well as a powerful partner in the fight to turn the tide against the climate crisis. When NASA climate scientists speak in public, they're often asked about possible connections between climate change and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, heavy downpours, floods, blizzards, heat waves and droughts. Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup, Trash Free Seas, Trash Free Seas Alliance, Global Ghost Gear Initiative, Urban Ocean and Clean Swell are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy. We bring people, science and policy together to champion innovative solutions and fight for a sustainable ocean. Global warming refers only to the long-term warming of the average temperature of the air and oceans. This sector is ripe for innovation and ambition with such opportunities as transitioning to low or zero carbon fuels, slow steaming, improving energy efficiency or wind-assisted propulsion, renewable power when in port, and more. Tell the prime minister it's time to lead by example. As Earth warms, water in the ocean soaks up energy (heat) and distributes it more evenly across the planet. When it comes to climate tech investments, the amount of money focused on ocean-related solutions is a mere drop in the bucket. And recently, the U.S. committed to power more than 10 million homes with offshore wind, enough to cut 78 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). The input received will be used to inform . The main ways to stop climate change are to pressure government and business to: Keep fossil fuels in the ground. Humanity is exacting a terrible toll on the ocean. The impacts of climate change and sea-level rise around the Pacific and Arctic Oceans can vary tremendously. Text and images Greenpeace. But adopting sustainable land management strategies could provide more than one-third of the near-term emission reductions needed to keep warming well below the target2C above pre-industrial levelsset by the Paris climate agreement. Costa Rica, Fiji, Chile, and Cabo Verde are among those leading the way, making ambitious commitments to invest in blue carbon, decarbonize shipping, and prioritize expanding protected areas. Changes in ocean temperatures and currents brought about by climate change will lead to alterations in climate patterns around the world. The Short Answer: The ocean covers about 70% of Earth's surface. The ocean can help slow climate change by providing offshore renewable energy and natural carbon storage in blue carbon ecosystems. We also need to ramp up our ambitions to decarbonize shipping and marine transport; fortunately, many of the solutions to do this already exist. Receive email updates to learn how you can help make a difference for the future of our ocean. They are often on the front lines, facing down deforestation or kicking out fossil fuel industries that want to put their water supplies at risk from oil spills. These industries are knowingly putting money over the future of our planet and the safety of its people. 2021 will begin the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, a call to action for global communities to adopt and enact a common framework for approaching ocean science. A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda. Fossil fuels include coal, oil and gas and the more that are extracted and burned, the worse climate change will get. Reducing overall consumption in more wealthy countries can help put less strain on the planet. Fertilizers (including manure) add nutrients to the soil and water that can be carried downstream when it rains. A Blue Carbon Sink. But this story need not end in tragedy. Given the reports findings, the High Level Panel is launching a Call to Ocean-Climate Action at the U.N. World leaders seeking to confront the climate crisis should understand that the ocean is being damaged by climate change but it can also play a considerable part in delivering the solutions we need. The first thing we should do is scale up ocean-based renewable energy (such as offshore wind turbines and new technologies to harness the energy of waves and tides). The goal is that this framework will support ocean management and help countries achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Seaweed is a type of algae, often referred to as a macroalgae due to . But efforts to mitigate climate change face two significant challenges. Polar ice is melting The ocean helps stabilize the climate in a number of ways. But now, as climate change wreaks havoc on ecosystems across the planet, the world is turning to seaweed as a potential climate . First, as ice sheets and glaciers melt, they pour extra water into the oceans. The IAEA is working with local, regional and international partners to understand and undress potential impacts and solutions to ocean acidification in Africa.
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