OUR OCEAN IS THE WORLD’S GREATEST ALLY AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

The ocean generates 50 percent of the oxygen we need, absorbs 25 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions and captures 90 percent of the excess heat generated by these emissions. It is not just ‘the lungs of the planet’ but also its largest ‘carbon sink’ – a vital buffer against the impacts of climate change.

The ocean is central to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and stabilizing the Earth’s climate.

However, increasing greenhouse gas emissions have affected the health of the ocean  –warming and acidifying seawater– causing detrimental changes to life under water and on land, and reducing the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide and safeguard life on the planet.

WE NEED TO SAFEGUARD THE OCEAN AS OUR BEST ALLY FOR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS.

Ocean habitats such as seagrasses and mangroves, along with their associated food webs, can sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at rates up to four times higher than terrestrial forests can. Their ability to capture and store carbon make mangroves highly valuable in the fight against climate change.

The ocean is an incredible source of renewable energy – off-shore wind and ocean energy, derived from natural sources, such as wind, water and tides, that don’t emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

More than 680 million people, nearly 10 percent of the global population, live in low-lying coastal zones. Bearing the brunt of climate change, highly vulnerable communities in low-lying areas, including small islands, are 15 times more likely to be killed by floods and storms, compared to regions with very low vulnerability

www.un.org