A new report from Greenpeace says the world’s oceans could avert climate catastrophe by absorbing excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere – but only if overfishing is stopped and plastic pollution is cleared up and prevented.
The charity says the oceans’ ability to absorb heat and CO2 is being limited by overfishing (including whaling) and pollution, which is damaging marine ecosystems and is having a knock-on effect on the natural carbon cycle. For example, without phytoplankton such as algae, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be 50% higher, while small marine life such as krill, and the largest – whales – also play vital roles in carbon capture.
The report – In Hot Water – also says protecting the oceans can help mitigate the effects of rising sea levels and more frequent and stronger storms, citing mangroves’ and coral reefs’ ability to act as a barrier to the surges that cause coastal flooding and damage.
“The ocean’s biology is one of our best allies in the fight against climate change,” said Greenpeace UK’s Louisa Casson. “Ocean protection is climate action – if we can save our ocean, it can save us.”
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A new report from Greenpeace says the world’s oceans could avert climate catastrophe by absorbing excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere – but only if overfishing is stopped and plastic pollution is cleared up and prevented.
The charity says the oceans’ ability to absorb heat and CO2 is being limited by overfishing (including whaling) and pollution, which is damaging marine ecosystems and is having a knock-on effect on the natural carbon cycle. For example, without phytoplankton such as algae, the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be 50% higher, while small marine life such as krill, and the largest – whales – also play vital roles in carbon capture.
The report – In Hot Water – also says protecting the oceans can help mitigate the effects of rising sea levels and more frequent and stronger storms, citing mangroves’ and coral reefs’ ability to act as a barrier to the surges that cause coastal flooding and damage.
“The ocean’s biology is one of our best allies in the fight against climate change,” said Greenpeace UK’s Louisa Casson. “Ocean protection is climate action – if we can save our ocean, it can save us.”