[INFORMATIVE] The importance of healthy oceans for climate regulations

The importance of healthy oceans for climate regulations

By: Valeria Fernandez

The world’s oceans cover most of Earth’s surface and make for approximately 95% of the planet’s biosphere. Their importance in regulating the climate is significant by absorbing over a quarter of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions and about 90% of excess heat. Oceans play a significant role in providing a source of animal protein for many people around the globe. It also serves as home to a wide variety of wildlife, with ocean biodiversity far surpassing wildlife found on land.

Oceans are key to the climate system, maintaining climatic balance. Their role includes absorbing and distributing heat worldwide, increasing the atmosphere’s humidity, while acting as a carbon reservoir. Oceans store approximately 38,000 billion tonnes of carbon, which is more than the combined carbon storage of land vegetation and the atmosphere. CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and stored in oceans through two important mechanisms. The solubility pump of carbon, involves carbon being dissolved in colder high-latitude waters. These colder waters are denser than warmer tropical waters that carry dissolved carbon dioxide with them. The biological pump of carbon being more complex involves microscopic plants, such as phytoplankton that are used to convert dissolved CO2 into organic matter via photosynthesis. After these plants die they undergo biochemical processes, eventually leading to them reaching the deep ocean where the carbon remains stored for many years to follow.

Oceans have been crucial in distributing CO2 from the atmosphere to the ocean ever since they were formed over billions of years. The biological pump alone has reduced atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations by more than 50% from what they could have been. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, oceans have absorbed about 26% of human-made carbon dioxide emissions.

Despite this, the oceans encounter threats due to climate change, including global warming, acidification, and large biodiversity loss, which harm food security and marine ecosystems. Overfishing, coastal habitat destruction, and pollution also partake in the risks to ocean health. If current warming and CO2 emissions continue, the oceans’ ability to absorb CO2 could reverse, making climate change worse and its impacts on the planet.

There are several ways that we can help improve and prevent oceans from getting harmed in our environment. For example, you can use fewer plastic products to limit your impact. You can also carry a reusable water bottle, store food in nondisposable containers, and recycle whenever possible. Also, mind your carbon footprint and reduce energy consumption, reduce the effects of climate change by leaving the car at home when you can, and be conscious of the energy you use at home and at work. Some things you can do to get started on reducing the effects of climate change is to take the stairs, or even use a fan to to avoid oversetting your thermostat at home. Fish populations worldwide are being affected rapidly due to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing practices. When eating out, help reduce the demand for overexploited species by choosing seafood that is both healthy and sustainable.

Citations
“10 Things You Can Do to Save the Ocean.” Environment, 27 Apr. 2010, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/10-things-you-can-do-to-save-the-ocean #. Accessed 14 Aug. 2024.

“Climate Explainer: Oceans and Climate Change.” World Bank, 8 Feb. 2022, www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/02/08/what-you-need-to-know-about-oceans-and-climate-change.