‘The oceans are not going to keep up with climate change’ - these were the sort of headlines you might have encountered last week (on September 25th to be exact) on many newspapers. From the guardian, the bbc, the time, the New York Times ... Did they all just suddenly wake up ? Well, if you are wondering why now, it was not a random choice but rather it came down to the coming out of the IPCC report for the ocean and cryosphere (don’t worry, I also had to search for this last term .. which actually refers to the ice cover , as you might have guessed from the ‘ cryo’ part). The ocean space in Venice also dedicated to it a whole day of conference on a Saturday with a great mix of scientists and artists (amongst them ALEXANDER TARAKHOVSKY and SKYE MORÉT) But.. what are the main points coming out of this report ? Firstly let me tell you that the full version of the IPCC report can be found here and the headlines version here
To sum it up for you, the report is subdivided in observations (observed physical changes, observed impacts on the environment and observed impacts on services and people ) and projections. In the section on observed changes you can read how the global oceans have warmed since the 1970s and marine heatwaves have doubled in frequency since 1982 and are also increasing intensity... ugh Moreover, global sea levels are indeed rising and coastal areas are under increased dangers of extreme waves. With regards to changes to the environment, the range shifts observed for many species since the 1950s can be attributed to changes in climate, as the loss of habitats and generally biodiversity can. And this is leading to losses in services, like food security, which is not something (in my opinion) to be taken lightly.. Projected changes, don't paint any lighter pictures. These trends will continue into the near future and scenarios are worse than previously thought, for 2050 (around the corner!) and 2100 (which might seem far, but actually is only 81 years away..). So..well.. the MAIN MAIN point is that we are really in trouble and there is no more space for climate change 'skeptics' or 'deniers'. We have to realise that what was 'predicted' is actually happening. We might still be in time to do something to prevent it getting worse.. but this something can no longer be so minimal as to buy a little less packaged plastic, or buy a second hand jumper here and there.. It has to be a global change, drastic change, involving big changes to our lifestyles in solidarity and unity with each other. A 24/7 change is needed, both of our single actions (ones we take minute by minute) up to the actions of our governments (no one excluded). Be in or we are doomed...
3 Comments
10/6/2019 12:03:40 am
Great summary of this very important topic 💚
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10/6/2019 02:31:58 am
Predictions are pretty scary, and in my opinion, it's best to act and even though worst case scenario never happen, than to do nothing and the worst does happen. With 2 small children, I worry about their future!
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10/9/2019 12:42:11 pm
I read Environmental Science at University in the 80's - in the 30 years since I graduated I had only seen only a very gradual increase in environmental awareness. BUT, in the last couple of years that has changed. The Blue Planet Effect, the School Strikes, Extinction Rebellion etc have had a huge effect which I hope can be the start of people accepting that we ALL have to make big changes if we want a future for our children.
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