18/01/2023
🌊 So, the ocean and climate emergency. Let’s talk about it.
The ocean and climate are inextricably linked.🔗 If it’s impacting the ocean, it’s probably impacting the climate. And with all its functions that support life on earth, we have so much to thank the ocean for. Let's keep fighting to protect it. ✊
Taking up over 70% of the Earth’s surface, the ocean plays a fundamental role in tackling human-induced climate change, whilst also bearing the brunt of its impact. Rising greenhouse gas concentration has caused dramatic ocean warming, ocean acidification and deoxygenation, which is impacting communities and ecosystems across the world.
Rising ocean temperatures, sea level change, slowing ocean currents, deoxygenation and acidification are driving many marine species and habitats to extinction. A keystone species called Zooplankton is struggling to survive in warmer waters, causing shockwaves further up the food chain where marine mammals suffer from food shortages. Not to mention the struggles of Blue carbon habitats such as kelp forests, mangroves, seagrass meadows and tidal marshes. Covering only a fraction of the Earth’s surface, they are some of the world's most productive habitats but are quickly disappearing, with almost 30% of coverage lost already.
The ocean is a life-support system for the entire global population, so the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems will influence every aspect of society, from tourism and trade to mental health and well-being. Rising sea levels, storm surges, and subsequent flooding also put increased pressure on sewer systems, resulting in declining water quality.
We need change. Read more about our campaign goals for ocean and climate on our website: https://buff.ly/38MpuM7
📷 calebgiddensmedia
