Oceanography: The Unfathomable Resort to Climate Discrepancies

The oceans play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change as they act as a major heat and carbon sink.

FREMONT, CA: The oceans make up 71 per cent of the earth’s surface and provide many amenities to human society, from generating the oxygen essential for breathing to mitigating weather extremes, from storing the excess carbon dioxide generated to produce food. The rapid oceanic changes exceed the present understanding of the variety of biochemical processes occurring in the oceans. The speakers in the sixth Lisbon dialogue stressed the fact that comprehending oceans is a precursor to the preservation and protection of oceans.     

Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO’s) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission proposed, “We need to move from science to action.” He mentioned coastal zone management, the establishment of marine protected areas, maritime planning, and the management of aquaculture as among the various “friendly” ways to take on this charge. He also referred to the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy which is an initiative among 16 world leaders. This panel committed to managing the exclusive economic zones by 2025. 

Jane Lubchenco, Deputy Director for Climate and the Environment, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said “The world needs science to save itself from fantasy. Science helps Governments, businesses and people understand the consequences of the choices they make. It does all of this only if we listen to science, science that is seen as credible, and uses it.” According to her, twenty-one per cent or one-fifth of the total carbon emission cuts needed to hold global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius could come from the oceans.

The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report reflected an “alarming” statement that all ways that limit future global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius require carbon dioxide removal, on land and in the oceans. To date, oceans have absorbed 90 per cent of excess heat from greenhouse gases and 25 per cent of the carbon. It is vital to consider oceans as the hero in mitigating climate crises and saving the planet, instead of considering them as the victims.