ALL AT SEA DECEMBER 2021
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TURNING THE TIDE?
Nicola Bridge, Head of Ocean Advocacy and Engagement at Ocean Conservation Trust, was in Glasgow at COP26 as a delegate in t Blu on o cial t rritor or t duration o t global con r nc r icola s ar s t i portanc o t oc an in balancing t art s cli at s st
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here is undeniable evidence that the climate is changing due to human activity. Burning fossil fuels in power stations to make electricity, releasing chemicals into the atmosphere, removing forests for the rapid expansion of farming, as well as development and industrial activities, are releasing carbon dioxide, plus other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and changing the balance of the Earth’s climate system. All of Earth’s systems and cycles exist in a fine balance, in continual feedback with each other. The interconnectedness of earth’s systems means that changes in one cycle can influence the equilibrium of the entire earth system. As the ocean is such a dominant force in the water and carbon cycles, it has mitigated many of the impacts of the changing climate already, but how much longer it can go on doing so is hanging in the balance. For example, when oceanic conditions are just right, a type of phytoplankton called a coccolithophore blooms at the ocean’s surface. Coccolithophores have white shells, which reflect the sun’s heat away from the earth, helping to cool the atmosphere. However, as ocean chemistry and temperature changes due to climate change, the coccolithophores do not bloom as often, and therefore there is less reflectivity at the ocean surface.
This means that there are less opportunities for heat to be reflected away, and the heat from the sun is absorbed instead. As this heat is absorbed the ocean warms further, decreasing the likelihood of these important plankton blooms, which act as a coolant. This creates a feedback loop that drives these negative changes in the ecosystem and climate.
Life started in the ocean and now we must protect it for future generations
Warming oceans
Furthermore, as the atmosphere around us gradually warms, we are seeing glaciers melt and ice sheets retreat – sea level rise is happening right now. The top layers of the ocean’s surface waters are warming, meaning that some species are moving out of their normal range, breeding at different times and potentially affecting whole food webs. Weather patterns are directly linked with the ocean as the air above the water cools or warms and moves around the globe. Since the 1950s there is now a greater frequency and intensity of heavy precipitation events, as well as a shift in tropical cyclones in a northerly direction. Due to the ocean and land absorbing an estimated 56 per cent of the carbon dioxide we have released by burning fossil fuels, oceanic waters are becoming more acidic. In some areas oxygen depletion is also a big problem. Low oxygen levels and lower pH are two factors that can greatly
The changes affecting the oceans are having an impact on many of the species that live in them
What the ocean does for us ● 50 per cent of life-giving oxygen comes from the ocean. Tiny plankton and the ocean’s plants absorb CO2 through a process called otos nt esis an release bac into t e atmos ere er time ou breat e al o t e o gen ou ta e in as come rom t e ocean ● The ocean drives our weather and climate. In fact, 98 per cent of the eat rom t e sun s ra s are absorbe b t e ocean is eat is t en mo e aroun t e eart ia currents so t e warm water at t e e uator is mo e aroun t e art u to t e oles ● The ocean plays a key part of the water cycle. When the sun shines an t e warm currents eat t e ocean water e a orates is not onl orms clou s but also increases t e air tem erature an t e umi it creating weat er e clou s t en get blown bac o er t e lan t en it rains an t is water is use b e er li ing t ing on t e lanet be ore ma ing its wa bac to t e ocean Wit out t is rocess most o our lanet woul be esert ● The ocean provides protein to nearly three billion humans and every plant, vegetable and animal has grown though access to water produced through the water cycle driven by the ocean. Thus, e er t ing ou eat is connecte to t e ocean ome scientists belie e t at u to one t ir o all fis ar este rom t e ocean is turne into oo or arme animals ● The ocean gives us life – that is undeniable. But it also im acts our ualit o li e tu ies s ow t at being in on near or un er t e ocean can ma e us a ier ealt ier more connecte an better at w at we o
inhibit normal daily life functioning of marine animals and plants. If we compare the ocean to the human body, our bodies are adapted to function at a self-regulated internal temperature of 37°C. Even a 1°C change can make us feel very ill, and anything over a 2°C change can be deadly.
Where it all began
All life on earth started in the ocean. We must take care of it, because it is us. If we compare the human body with the ocean once more, we see that the salt content of our blood is remarkably like that of the ocean.
When our Neanderthal relatives started to eat fish and shellfish, the addition of Omega 3 into their diets helped to increase their brain function, thus directly affecting our evolution as a species. When our global ocean can function efficiently it can: ● Absorb or reflect large amounts of solar energy; ● Create predictable annual weather patterns by pushing the warmth it absorbs from the sun, along with water vapour (which makes clouds and precipitation), all around the globe; ● Absorb and ‘lock away’ CO2.
All around you
It does not matter where you live – whether you are near a beach, in the countryside or in the middle of a big city – the ocean still has a profound effect on your life. When you turn on your tap in the morning to brush your teeth, the water you use, as well as the algae in your toothpaste, comes from the ocean. When you watch TV or use the internet, some of the materials used in the hardware have come from the ocean. When you buy your favourite foods at the supermarket, many of those have been shipped via the ocean. It was vital during the COP 26 Climate Change Conference, that the ocean was part of the conversation – an unhealthy ocean means unhealthy people. We must reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and we must ensure that global temperatures rise no more than the already predicted 1.5C. We wish to see joined up working where our human activities are in a state of net zero – when the amount of greenhouse gas being produced is balanced by the amount removed from the atmosphere naturally. The ocean plays a key role in regulating the natural cycles that keep our planet balanced, which means it is deeply affected by a warming atmosphere and the absorption of excess CO2 produced by our activities. oceanconservationtrust.org As well as the key role oceans play in life, they are proven to improve our quality of life
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