Protecting Oceans: Climate Solutions and Global Action

This week I’m extending the water theme to something huge.
It’s the biggest thing on Earth.

I’m writing about our oceans and seas 🌊 in celebration of World Oceans Day tomorrow (8 June).

👉 Known facts

71% of our planet is covered by oceans and seas.
97% of our water is found in oceans and seas.

👉 Lesser known facts

90% of the ocean is deep sea.
Around 25% of seabeds have been mapped.
There may be up to 1 million species in salty waters, excluding microorganisms.
The majority of ocean species remain undiscovered. Almost 2,000 new species are officially accepted each year.

💪 Oceans’ solution to climate change = free

Absorb at least 25% of carbon emissions.
Absorb around 90% of excess heat.
Generate around 50% of our oxygen.
Conserving oceans could close the emissions gap by up to 35% (The Ocean Panel).

🚨 Ocean’s destruction = worsening climate change

Dying corals house 25% of marine life and reduce climate-change effects.
Barrier reefs protect coastlines and reduce storm and wave impacts.
Phytoplankton productivity is declining, reducing CO₂ absorption.
Warming seas reduce the ocean’s capacity to dissolve CO₂.

🚨 Deep-sea mining

It is unlikely to be efficient. Energy transition should not involve deep-sea mining.
The impacts on our oceans could be catastrophic:
Irreversible ecosystem damage.
More destruction than we currently know.
Pollution and oil spills.
Noise pollution will especially harm whales and dolphins.
Crushed and discarded composites may be ingested by marine life.
Oxygen-consuming and dormant bacteria could be released.
Carbon storage could be released.

🙌 Plenty of solutions

The Ocean Panel was created by leaders from 18 countries to implement ocean solutions.
At COP 28, $250 million was pledged for ocean conservation for the first time.
The Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance was created to fund ocean-climate solutions.
Pacific island leaders launched Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity to manage an ocean area five times the size of the US.
The High Seas Treaty, signed in 2023, allows marine protected areas in international waters.
Focus on recycling batteries and developing metal-free versions. Solid-state batteries are also being tested.
Invest in transitioning to a circular economy.
We can all join a beach clean-up too! 💪

…And if you want to read more about what I do in the climate space, then please do check out my services.

Sources: National Ocean Service, University of Plymouth, UNEP, NASA, WWF, The Ocean Panel, Ocean Resilience & Climate Alliance, Pacific Community, Endangered Species Coalition, InDepth, H2O Global News, Zero Carbon Analytics