Ocean warming, a pressing global issue, is the process by which the world’s oceans absorb and store heat from the atmosphere, primarily due to the increased concentrations of greenhouse gases from human activities such as fossil fuel consumption. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its Fifth Assessment Report in 2013, highlighted that since the 1970s, over 93% of the excess heat generated from greenhouse gas emissions has been absorbed by the ocean, leading to rising ocean temperatures.
Information from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) underscores the severity of this issue. Over the past century, the average global sea surface temperature has risen by approximately 0.13°C per decade. Notably, this warming is not confined to the surface alone.
A 2012 review published in Geophysical Research Letters found that the deep ocean, even 700 meters below the surface, absorbs a significant portion of this excess heat. Predictive models from the IPCC’s 2013 report suggest a likely increase in the mean global ocean temperature of 1-4°C by the end of this century.
The distribution of this excess heat within the ocean is uneven, with the Southern Hemisphere experiencing the most significant ocean warming. This uneven distribution contributes to the subsurface melting of Antarctic ice shelves.
Despite the alarming implications, the ocean’s capacity to absorb excess heat has acted as a buffer, protecting humans from more drastic climate changes. Without this oceanic shield, global temperatures would have risen much more dramatically, underscoring our oceans’ critical role in mitigating climate change’s impacts.
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Why is it important?
Ocean warming is a critical issue due to its far-reaching impacts. It triggers deoxygenation, reduces oxygen in the ocean, and causes sea-level rise from thermal expansion and ice melting. Additionally, it contributes to ocean acidification, a decrease in the ocean’s pH due to CO2 absorption. These changes pose significant threats to marine species, ecosystems, and the benefits humans derive from the ocean.
The effects on marine life are profound. Rising temperatures lead to higher mortality rates, loss of breeding grounds, and mass movements of species. Coral reefs, particularly vulnerable, face an increased risk of bleaching and mortality. Thus, ocean warming is not just an environmental concern but a significant threat to global biodiversity and the health of our planet.
The impact on humans
Ocean warming, directly and indirectly, impacts human life, affecting everything from our food sources to our weather patterns.
Marine and freshwater fisheries and aquaculture are vital for global food security, providing about 15% of animal protein for 4.3 billion people, according to a 2012 report by the FAO and UN. These industries also offer income for millions worldwide. However, ocean warming threatens this, altering fish stock distributions and increasing their disease vulnerability. The economic losses from these changes could range from tens to millions of dollars.
Rising ocean temperatures also endanger coastal ecosystems like coral reefs and mangroves, protecting coastlines from erosion and rising sea levels. This is particularly concerning for low-lying Pacific island nations, where rising sea levels and erosion could destroy homes and infrastructure, forcing people to relocate.
Moreover, the increase in sea surface temperatures intensifies weather events, leading to more severe hurricanes and amplified El Niño events, which can cause droughts and floods. These changes can have significant socio-economic and health impacts globally.
Lastly, warmer ocean temperatures contribute to the spread of diseases in marine species, posing a risk to human health. Humans can contract these diseases directly by consuming infected marine species or through wounds exposed in marine environments.
Read also: Rising sea level, these are the cities that risk to disappear in a few decades
What can be done?
Firstly, we must limit greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving the mitigation targets set by the Paris Agreement is crucial. By maintaining the global average temperature increase to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, we can prevent irreversible damage to ocean ecosystems.
Secondly, we need to protect marine and coastal ecosystems. Establishing well-managed protected areas can conserve significant marine habitats, regulate human activities, and prevent environmental degradation.
Thirdly, restoring damaged ecosystems is key. This can involve creating artificial structures like rock pools to serve as habitats or using assisted breeding techniques to boost species’ resilience to warmer temperatures.
Fourthly, improving human adaptation is essential. Governments can introduce policies to keep fisheries sustainable, such as setting precautionary catch limits and eliminating subsidies that lead to overfishing. Coastal setback zones can minimize damage from coastal flooding and erosion. Developing new tools to forecast and control marine disease outbreaks can also help.
Lastly, strengthening scientific research is vital. Governments should invest more in research to measure and monitor ocean warming and its effects. This will provide precise data to design and implement effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Read also: All about the Great Blue Wall project, a major global effort to safeguard the oceans
