How does climate change affect the earth’s oceans? The oceans act like massive conveyor belts, pushing surface water from the equator to the poles. Surface water cools, sinks, and becomes denser. Winds push this denser water back to the surface, making it warmer and less dense. As ocean currents change, they become prone to climate change. Read on to learn how climate change affects the earth’s oceans.
Impacts on ecosystems
Several studies have shown that changes in ocean temperature, nutrient input, and circulation patterns are associated with climate change. These changes are likely to change the availability of oxygen and nutrients, and may even affect species distributions and phenology. In turn, these changes may impact ecosystem services such as fishing, which will be affected. Further, these changes may affect the availability of food and other resources. For example, if ocean temperatures warm, marine life may move to the poles.
In addition, climate change will force hundreds of ocean fish northward. These fish are key to North American fisheries. In addition, increasing ocean temperatures is “drowning” wetlands, which are unable to keep up with higher water levels. Coral reefs and seagrass meadows will also be threatened because they can only photosynthesize in shallow water. This situation is a major concern for people who depend on marine wildlife.
The loss of sea ice will directly threaten species that rely on ice-free environments. Moreover, the warming of the oceans may disrupt the intricate interactions among species. Oceans are also becoming more acidic, which disrupts shelled organisms and increases human activities. Therefore, better science/policy interfaces are necessary to address this growing problem. The impacts of climate change are profound and can alter the biodiversity of ecosystems.
The combined effects of these stressors will be devastating to marine organisms. Consequently, the combined effects of these processes may have disastrous consequences for all marine life. This will likely reduce the number of habitat-forming species, alter food web dynamics, and shift species distribution. In the long run, these changes could have disastrous consequences for human society. With this in mind, human societies should take action. The future of marine ecosystems depends on it.
The ocean has a vital role in climate systems, providing benefits like aesthetic beauty and climate moderation. Increasing levels of CO2 emissions are projected to alter coastal ecosystems and exacerbate traditional marine problems. By integrating climate and ocean, we can enhance our efforts to adapt to the changes and improve the resilience of the most vulnerable ecosystems. Further, the ocean’s freshwater budget is reducing and may affect the longevity of climate change.
Impacts on human health
As the ocean covers seventy percent of the planet’s surface, it is vital to our environmental health. Many of these issues impact human health, including water pollution and disease. In response, the United Nations has declared the decade of ocean science for sustainable development, from 2021 to 2030. UN researchers argue that now is the time to reconsider our relationship with the ocean. Recent research shows that swimming in contaminated seas leads to the development of respiratory illnesses and gastroenteritis.
As sea temperatures rise, a plethora of pollutants will enter the food chain. These toxins and pollutants can cause illness and even death in humans. The combined effects of these stressors are likely to be harmful to all marine organisms. However, some are more susceptible than others. Without action, the consequences of climate change on earth’s oceans could have devastating impacts on human health.
In addition to causing disease, climate change impacts human health in numerous ways. Rising sea levels and food shortages are directly linked to a wide range of factors. The heat from the oceans threatens food supplies, economies, and weather systems. Heat stress is a serious health risk that can lead to death. Climate-sensitive health risks are disproportionately experienced by vulnerable groups. However, if we act now, we can prevent future health risks and mitigate the effects of climate change.
While the Mediterranean Sea and Baltic Sea are the most affected regions, Asian rivers are also suffering from ocean pollution. As a result, the Declaration of Monaco was read at the symposium’s closing session. It calls for an international ban on single-use plastic and to reduce agricultural releases of nitrogen and phosphorus. It also supports robust monitoring of ocean pollution and a global ban on single-use plastic.
The ocean has long taken the brunt of human-made global warming. As our planet continues to warm, the ocean absorbs 90 percent of the excess heat produced by increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The top 700 meters of the ocean have warmed by 1.5degF since 1901. This change will have cascading impacts on the ocean’s ecosystem. The ocean is the primary source of most marine life.
Impacts on fisheries
One of the greatest challenges facing our ecologies and societies is food security. Increasingly, global assessments of crop yields suggest that disparities in production will continue to widen. For example, there is already evidence of the effect of climate change on crop productivity. Global maize and wheat production have already decreased due to weather-related factors. In addition, the productivity of marine fisheries has been reduced by as much as 4 percent. Free et al. (2004) report that the losses to marine fisheries will be greater than 30 percent in the most vulnerable ecoregions.
Several economic variables, including the GDP and income distribution, have been studied in relation to the effects of climate change on fisheries. For example, if global emissions were increased at an unchecked rate, fisheries revenues could decrease by as much as 10%. Meanwhile, if emissions were maintained at a lower level, fisheries would see an increase of only 7 percent. These estimates provide a basis for establishing economic mechanisms that will protect the future of our marine resources.
As ocean temperatures increase, so do ocean acidification and sea life. Warmer waters will cause the development of shellfish that may eventually disappear, and ice-resistant fish could be displaced by other species. Coastal fisheries may be choked by harmful algae blooms, and fish populations will continue to migrate north. Climate change could also affect cold-water-loving species like lobster. Therefore, scientists are analyzing the effects of climate change on fisheries to help protect them.
The most significant losses are expected in areas with high sensitivity to climate change, such as coastal communities. In addition, coastal communities will suffer double burdens if they lose both fisheries and agriculture. Thus, the need for climate mitigation is imperative. The most vulnerable coastal communities are already disproportionately affected by climate change. These studies will help identify the best approaches to mitigate these impacts and to adapt accordingly. Once we have done that, we can move towards a more sustainable future.
A study on the economic impacts of climate change on fisheries revealed a mixed picture. Although the overall effects on US commercial fisheries are negative, the positives outweigh the negatives. While US fisheries are dependent on marine species, their habitats play a vital role in defending coastal communities against storms and providing a foundation for recreation and tourism. NOAA Fisheries has committed itself to preparing for the challenges of climate change and to protecting our marine resources for future generations.
