COP18: Strong action needed in Doha as world’s oceans reach
tipping point
05 December 2012
From Qatar:
COP18 UN Climate Change Conference 2012
At the recent COP18 UN Climate Change Conference 2012, Dr
Carol Turley OBE, a Senior Scientist and ocean acidification expert
at PML, spoke in a video interview about the three key impacts on
our oceans; warming waters, ocean acidification and
de-oxygenation.
During the interview Dr Turley warned that whilst we now understand
the chemical impacts of raising CO2 for our oceans, less is known
about the impacts this will have on our marine ecosystems (though
there is clear evidence that these organisms respond negatively to
the increased carbon dioxide). Dr Turley also went on to suggest
that there is a 'perfect storm' approaching – though we may not be
able to see, smell or touch it, which will carry on for tens of
thousands of years. As humans are dependant on the sea for a vast
amount of services - with one billion people depending solely on
the oceans for the protein in their diets - awareness of these
negative impacts is vitally important.
Dr Turley refers to a tipping point we are now approaching and
stressed that the next ten to fifteen years are crucial, calling on
politicians in Doha to take positive action on reducing CO2
emissions and also to discuss how communities will be able to adapt
to ocean acidification and warming.
The interview can be viewed here.