ocean acidification: the other co2 problem -...
TRANSCRIPT
Ocean Acidification: the other CO2 problem
Dr Carol Turley
UNFCCC COP19, Warsaw, 18 November 2013
Ocean Acidification is very big deal!
It is happening now
It is happening very rapidly
It is caused by carbon dioxide
emissions
It is changing the basic chemistry of
the ocean
Life in the ocean may change
Every one of us depends on life in
the oceans
It is not too late to act but we need to
act urgently
We are going to hear that …
Courtesy: J Orr – projected aragonite saturation
Turley et al. 2006 – changes in ocean acidity (pH)
Why should we care? The ocean provides…..
IGBP
Fishing – for Survival
Over 1 billion people rely on marine protein as their
primary source protein. Also essential nutrients, minerals and oils.
Should we be thinking ahead? By managing the risks to vulnerable societies, in coastal and island states
Turley (2013) Adapted from IPCC, 2012: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation
Should we be thinking ahead? By managing the risks to vulnerable societies, in coastal and island states
Risk factors
erosion of shore protection
ecosystem degradation
coastal populations
tourism economies
food security
dependency on marine protein
aquaculture and fisheries
poor education and observation systems
Turley (2013) Adapted from IPCC, 2012: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation
Should we be thinking ahead? By managing the risks to vulnerable societies, in coastal and island states
Risk factors
erosion of shore protection
ecosystem degradation
coastal populations
tourism economies
food security
dependency on marine protein
aquaculture and fisheries
poor education and observation systems
Risk management and adaptation
better regional forecasting
early warning systems improved marine
management
sustainable fisheries
risk pooling relocation
alternative protein sources
innovative aquaculture practices
poverty reduction
Turley (2013) Adapted from IPCC, 2012: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation
Should we be thinking ahead? By managing the risks to vulnerable societies, in coastal and island states
Risk factors
coastal populations
ecosystem degradation
erosion of shore protection
dependency on marine protein
aquaculture and fisheries
tourism economies
poor education and observation systems
Risk management and adaptation
better regional forecasting
early warning systems improved marine
management
sustainable fisheries
risk pooling relocation
alternative protein sources
innovative aquaculture practices
poverty reduction
Turley (2013) Adapted from IPCC, 2012: Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation
Urgent international coordination and collaborative action required for adaptation and risk management
Scientists have responded to the challenge: considerable investment in scientific research …. and communication
Hansson & Gattuso (unpublished) updated from Gattuso & Hansson (2011)
Amazing Growth in Awareness: Google hits!
No
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ed
Go
og
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earc
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(no
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Turley & Boot (2011)
17 “hits” in 2005
Over 17 million “hits” in 0.24 seconds today!
Increasing Concern:
by national academies and intergovernmental organisations …
The Timeline: Growing recognition at intergovernmental level….
Herr et al. 2013
Conventions to protect the ocean started in 1970
Ocean acidification first mentioned in 2005
Growing recognition at the UN ….
Herr et al. 2013
2007
2011
2013
Growing recognition at the UN ….
Herr et al. 2013 2009
2010
2011
2012
Cancún Agreements (2010) footnote in which it is listed as
one of many ‘slow onset events’ caused by climate change
Growing recognition at the UN ….
Herr et al. 2013
2012
An ocean acidification specific outcome
(Number 166) is:
“We call for support for initiatives that
address ocean acidification…….. and to
support marine scientific research,
monitoring and observation of ocean
acidification and particularly vulnerable
ecosystems, including through enhanced
international cooperation in this regard.”
Growing recognition at the UN ….
Herr et al. 2013
2013
14th Meeting UN Open-ended Informal
Consultative Process On Ocean
Acidification – reports to UNGA
Good News! 3 positive actions on ocean acidification ….
1. Ocean acidification is part of the 1st global assessment of transboundary waters.
2. Establishment of the Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre.
3. Evolution of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network.
Urgent international collaborative action is required for mitigation, adaptation and risk
management
Conclusion
After Bopp et al., 2013
3.2–5.4°C
Global
temperature
increase
likely
by 2100:
0.9–2.3°C
Ocean acidification is happen
now at a rate not seen for at least
55 million years.
The more CO2 emitted to the
atmosphere, the greater the
acidification – mitigation will
make a difference
It IS an international issue
relevant to human society
Intergovernmental organisations
are beginning to take note of
ocean acidification