AnthropoSea - a final note

Unbelievably, it is already time for my last AnthropoSea blog post – how time has flown! 

When I initially set out to create this blog, I was a little daunted to say the least. I had never before thought of myself as the type of person to blog and much preferred just reading others'! Once I began posting though, I quickly got into the swing of things and can now say that I really enjoyed my time blogging. 

From the start, my intention was to explore the Anthropocene's effects on the ocean and its marine life. Initially, I examined the dominant marine symptoms of climate change - ocean warming, acidification and deoxygenation - using Bijma et al.'s framework of the 'deadly trio' and looked in depth at how each of these impacted the ocean's biodiversity (2013). Other marine stressors, such as pollution and fishing were then discussed, along with any relevant topics in the press. Finally, I broached the subject of what is to be done in the future.

Plastic debris from around the world washes up at Kamilo Beach, Hawaii.

On completion of my blog, it is safe to say that I am shocked at the state of our ocean. As every day passes, anthropogenic carbon emissions are causing it to warm, acidify and lose oxygen at a rate higher than has ever occurred in the past 55 million years and marine life is bearing the brunt of this change. Whilst a few species have thrived under, or tolerated the new conditions, the majority have been detrimentally effected; we are seeing changes in physiology and abundance, the dissolution of marine calcifiers, widespread habitat loss and polar species shifts. All propagating up the food chain, these are only a few of the consequences and are further exacerbated by anthropogenic pollution and resource overexploitation. Their ability to survive this unprecedented evolutionary pressure will depend on whether they can adapt to the changing state of the ocean and in my opinion, the rate of change is simply too great for the majority of oceanic species. We can still mitigate the effects but only if we act urgently and begin to curb our carbon dioxide emissions.

A warmer planet is melting more sea ice, causing Polar Bears to increasingly lose their habitat.

It is now when I reflect on my blog, bringing it all together, that I the realise the full scope of the Anthropocene's impacts on the ocean. With hindsight, I can see that I started the blog blind, I really didn't perceive the oceans to be in as bad a state as they are. Every blog post proved another shock of how climate change is manifesting itself in the ocean and I believe this to be why I have so thoroughly enjoyed writing my posts. The whole concept of a blog has really opened my eyes to the topic and for this, I am grateful.  

As a final note, I would just like to thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you found it as interesting as I have!

Ensuring future survival

Today I’ll be discussing a paper by Mendler de Suarez et al. that proposes how we are to deal with the  climate change-induced threats facing the ocean and humanity (2013). 

To ensure survival, they argue that we should use our understanding of the complex relationship between climate change and the oceans in two ways. First, to support nature-based approaches that will mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and second, to help improve community and ecosystem resilience towards the inevitable climate-related hazards. Our adaption will need to take many forms and use a variety of soft, hard and floating methods, but there must be a focus on the preservation and restoration of ecosystems that provide a natural source of protection. Mangroves are one such example, offering protection on the coast from erosive cyclones and storms through their ability to dissipate energy. However, this is not to say that other ecosystems should be ignored, they will still need to be conserved in order to ensure the continuation of their natural services. To guarantee the success of these adaption strategies, the need for integrated coastal and ocean management is stressed, right from the local to the international level.

They also refer to geo-engineering techniques, such as carbon capture and storage, iron fertilisation and the direct injection of carbon dioxide into the water column. However, it is argued that at present, we do not have sufficient knowledge of either the risks involved, or their efficiency at mitigating the impacts of climate change. Thus, more research is required before any assessment for their implementation can be conducted. Again, the importance for the involvement of all countries is stressed, even those who may not be affected by climate change as much as others, or don’t have the means to conduct research. Related to this latter point, it is clear that considerable funding will be required and the study recognises this, requesting new, sustainable financing mechanisms. 

Fundamentally, the paper calls for improved governance, the use of ecosystem-based approaches in coastal and ocean management and urgency in transition to a low-carbon economy. If these are achieved, it is claimed that humanitarian, environmental and ocean security will be ensured under climate change.