Addressing Global Climate Change

Overview

The world’s oceans are an integral part of the climate system and serve as an enormous sink for both heat and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).  Although the oceans have long been known for their role as a driver of climate, scientific studies increasingly show that the oceans are also being altered by climate change. The oceans absorb 22 million tons of CO2 daily, and nearly half the carbon emitted by humans over the last 200 years and 80 percent of the excess heat associated with global warming now resides in the ocean. While this may sound like a good thing, this service comes with substantial consequences.  Excess CO2  is altering the ocean’s chemistry by increasing ocean acidity 30% since the Industrial Revolution, leading to corrosive effects on numerous shell-bearing animals.  Warming water, melting icebergs and glaciers are leading to potentially dramatic sea level rise if emissions continue unabated. Ocean plants and animals are shifting their geographic distributions in response to warming water temperatures and changes to food webs.  Other changes, such as unpredictable upwelling patterns, are likely linked to climate change and may have further socially-relevant consequences.  Scientists are currently studying these various effects, their linkages, and importantly their implications for the long-term structure and functioning of ocean ecosystems.

Further reading on this topic