Providing Climate Science to Inform International Policy

Last week I had the tremendous honor of providing expert testimony on the ocean effects of climate change to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg, Germany. Described by some as “the Supreme Court of the Sea,” ITLOS is an independent judicial body that adjudicates and administers international maritime law (formally known as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS for short). 

In December, the Coalition of Small Island States (COSIS), which is co-chaired by the Prime Ministers of Antigua and Barbuda and Tuvalu, asked the Tribunal for an advisory opinion on specific obligations of countries that have signed on to UNCLOS are regarding climate change prevention and preservation of the ocean from climate change impacts. Although an advisory opinion is a nonbinding interpretation of the law, it would clarify how UNCLOS’ environmental obligations are interpreted in the future and lead to further consideration of how UNCLOS’ provisions should be enforced. Currently, 168 countries are party to UNCLOS, and this is the first time that climate change-related matters have been applied to the Law of the Sea. Last week the Tribunal began to hear oral arguments on the issue. 

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My job was to distill the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment findings and the outcomes of the recent Global Stocktake, which measured how well national climate commitments are meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. The COSIS team had selected me from the handful of global experts involved in writing the IPCC report because of my background in ocean chemistry, physics, biology and science communication and my experience in connecting science to policy. After writing and submitting 60 pages of testimony months ago with COSIS’ filings, last week I had 30 minutes to summarize this information to the 21 Tribunal Justices—who are experts in international marine policy and law, not climate science. I had to explain in plain language how climate change is affecting the ocean and people who depend on it and what the effects of different global emissions pathways could be. My fellow IPCC report author, Dr. Shobha Maharaj, shared IPCC findings about how climate change is impacting small island nations now and what the future may hold. These scientific insights are just part of the information the Tribunal will weigh as it makes its determination. 

This case requires the Tribunal to decide on several sub-questions. First, the Tribunal oversees how UNCLOS evolves over time and must decide how the Law of the Sea should address emerging marine issues such as climate change. Second, the Tribunal must decide whether human-released carbon dioxide, and the heat that CO₂ traps, constitute marine pollution. Third, it must also consider how UNCLOS and other international policies, like the Paris Agreement and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) Treaty, complement each other. 

It’s hard to explain the weight of the moment—presenting to the Tribunal was unlike any other presentation I’ve given. The justices listened attentively from a tall, imposing curved dais while the unusually muggy weather outside reminded us that climate change is even touching Hamburg. Presenters before me—including the co-chairs of COSIS and a lawyer who’s also a youth leader, a Tuvaluan, and a mother—spoke movingly about what their communities and families stand to lose. Like other times, I was under pressure to share a vast amount of information simply, quickly and objectively. But this time truly moved me. So much was at stake; so many international policy experts had come together to provide input; so many people were listening. During my testimony, as I listed the many marine ecosystems that are at a minimum at moderate risk from climate change under a middle-of-the-road emissions future—estuaries, salt marshes, mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, kelp forests, sandy beaches, rocky shores, epipelagic systems, eastern boundary upwelling systems and seamount systems—I was fighting back tears. Grief about what we will lose if we don’t quickly curb climate change threatened to burst through my carefully composed scientific presentation. I paused. I thought of the thousands of climate experts whose work I was sharing and all those who depended on me to present the scientific evidence to the Tribunal. I breathed deeply—once, twice—and steadied my voice. I made it through. 

Countries party to UNCLOS made oral arguments to the Tribunal about this case by September 25. Afterwards, the Tribunal will deliberate and provide their opinion around March 2024. It’s anyone’s guess how the Tribunal will rule. So far, countries have largely agreed with COSIS’ argument that carbon dioxide and heat are a type of pollution, and that UNCLOS and Paris Agreement goals are complementary. How the Tribunal’s ruling will alter international marine and climate policies is anyone’s guess.

I often explain my job to people as making sure that the best available science can be reflected in marine policy. There’s nothing quite like having two sitting Prime Ministers and an Attorney General from three different nations thank you for doing your job. I’m thrilled to have been asked to provide the Tribunal with the latest scientific information to support their decision-making. I, and countless others, can’t wait to learn the outcome of this precedent-setting case. It’s been an enormous privilege to bring science into the discussion.

The post Providing Climate Science to Inform International Policy appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

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What is a Dragonet?

You might not know them by name, but dragonets’ vibrant colors and elongated dorsal fins make them among the most recognizable species of fish. In fact, dragonets and mandarinfish are two names for the same species. The scientific name is Synchiropus splendidus and we can confirm that they are splendid indeed! Read on to learn more about what makes dragonets so special.

Their Habitat

Dragonets live in coral reefs in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean. They can be spotted from southern Japan to northern Australia, burrowed into the sea floor in sandy and weedy beds. They are able to bury their entire bodies up to their eyes! These reefs keep them sheltered and (mostly) safe from predators. It’s also the perfect place to surprise their prey—small crustaceans known as copepods. 

See more wonderful ocean animals!

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Their Bright Blue Coloring

Their distinctive, bright blue coloring is actually a major anomaly not only in the ocean but on Earth itself—dragonets can produce their own blue pigment, while most other animals that simply appear blue (such as peacocks) only do so through reflecting light and tricking the eye. 

They are Ready to Get Defensive

Being this beautiful is bound to attract attention, and because they lack scales (the first line of defense for most fish), dragonets are unusually vulnerable. Luckily, they have developed a way to protect themselves. They are adorned in tiny spikes that can inject a toxic, smelly mucus into anything trying to devour or handle them. So even though they’re pretty, if you have the honor of encountering a wild one, make sure you give dragonets some space. 

Their Reproductive Process

Dragonet reproduction—specifically their courting rituals—have more in common with human behavior than you might think. The dragonet’s spawning practices can be identified by four different stages: courtship display, pairing, ascending and the release of eggs.

The courtship begins by the fish spreading and showing off their pectoral and dorsal fins. Once an “attraction” has been identified through the acceptance of the male by the female, they pair. Following this pairing, they combine and ascend from the bottom of the ocean up a water column, and I don’t think I need to tell you what happens next. The final step results in the release of eggs, which float freely in the water column and eventually disperse.

As you can see, the gorgeous dragonet has more to offer than just their looks. This is just a small introduction to what makes these fish so interesting and why it is so critical that we keep their home—the ocean—protected. Ocean Conservancy is committed to helping the dragonet—and all the animals and fish that live in our seas.

Take action to help Ocean Conservancy protect dragonets’ home—our coral reefs —from the threats of climate change.  

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Meet the Giant Isopod of the Deep Sea

One of the creatures I’m most curious of when I consider the murky shadows of the deep sea is the giant isopod. I was pleased to discover that I’m not the only one who thinks these ancient creatures look just like giant versions of those roly-poly bugs my sister, as a child, would dig for under garden tiles. And I was surprised to find out that these critters are, in fact, relatives. Deep-sea isopods are part of the same order as pill bugs—Isopoda—and there are about 10,000 species of isopods in this ancient order. The first recorded isopod fossil is more than 300 million years old!

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The deep-sea isopod, or Bathynomus giganteus, is the biggest isopod species of this order, growing anywhere from 11 to 20 inches in length. This is thanks to deep-sea gigantism, a phenomenon in which deep-sea dwellers tend to be larger than their shallower-water or land-dwelling family members. The increased pressure, decreased oxygen and colder temperatures are just a few of the potential causes for this. Other examples of deep-sea gigantism include the Japanese spider crab, colossal squid and the big red jellyfish. 

Typically found in the Indo-Pacific and western Atlantic oceans, the giant isopod dwells on the ocean floor up to 7,000 feet deep. You should have no worries about running into these cutie crustaceans on your casual beach trips. And if you are concerned, please note that isopods are not dangerous to humans—at least not humans that are alive. While isopods are carnivorous, they are also detritivores, which means they stick to consuming detritus—dead and decaying organic matter. <insert shudder here> 

Scavengers by nature, giant isopods tend to make the most of their meals with dead whale and fish carcasses, along with bits of other “marine snow.” Since they are passive in obtaining their meals, they tend to binge on whatever dead organic material hits the floor, and their slow metabolisms allow them to go long periods of time (sometimes years) until their next meal drops. This is another example of giant isopods’ abilities to adapt over their 300 million years on this planet. 

Deep-sea isopods have other adaptations that allow them to thrive, including their anatomy. Perhaps the creepiest part of the giant isopod is their enormous compound eyes, which include a reflective layer behind the retina called tapetum. The tapetum reflects the tiniest fraction of light available at the bottom of the ocean floor and practically doubles the light available for the isopod to see. In addition to these incredible eyes, giant isopods possess two pairs of antennae and 14 hooked legs which allow them to thrive in such a treacherous landscape. 

Whether you find giant isopods curiously cute or just creepy, they play an essential role in our ocean. Their scavenging helps to keep the ocean floor from being covered in detritus and allows for new life to grow. Even the deepest parts of the ocean have evidence of plastics and climate change. Take action today to protect these deep-sea dwellers and all ocean animals. 

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How is Ocean Warming Impacting the Shipping Industry?

As deeply troubling reports continue to come in about ocean waters hitting historic hot temperatures, sectors like global shipping are trying to understand the consequences of a warmer ocean and what can be done to stop the heating. Some in the industry see the warming as an opportunity, as passages through the Arctic open for longer periods, even going so far as to claim there will be lower overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the shorter voyages. Recent science doesn’t support this optimism, as new studies show that the increased release of Black Carbon, one of the most potent climate change forcers—as well as soot, carbon dioxide, methane and ozone from more traffic in the Arctic—could lead to a 20% increase in the global heating that is causing warmer ocean temperatures.

The ocean has already absorbed 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases and 26% of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans burning fossil fuels. While this has moderated atmospheric and land temperatures to some degree, the ocean can’t keep this up, and its ability to regulate the climate becomes compromised as we continue to burn fossil fuels. Warmer water also expands and raises sea levels as well as holds less oxygen. So, we’re seeing the ocean heat up, lose oxygen and get bigger. A warming ocean will supercharge storms and is already having devastating impacts on marine wildlife and ecosystems that people rely on, such as mangroves, reefs and fisheries. 

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The biggest threats to the maritime shipping sector are likely to be the increased frequency and intensity of weather hazards driven by ocean warming. More ocean heat provides more fuel for hurricanes and drives heavier rainfall and snowstorms, as well as shifts in weather patterns so that some areas face rainstorms and flooding while others face worsening drought conditions and wildfire risks. As we’re seeing right now at the Panama Canal, drought and water shortages will also make passage through canals or rivers less reliable and delay vessels.

These changes in weather patterns threaten the entire shipping industry—vessel owners and operators, cargo owners and ports. There are also secondary effects on global supply chains that could affect economies more broadly. Vessel owners and operators face risks of delays in departures and entries to ports and more frequent rerouting with accompanying costs, as well as damage to their ships and risk to crews. Cargo owners’ risks include damage and loss of their cargo, costly delivery delays and potentially higher demurrage and detention fees. 

As the landside linchpin for global trade, many of the delays affecting operators and shippers are due to the impact of extreme weather on ports, which face costly damage to their infrastructure and lengthy closures. According to recent analyses from the University of Oxford and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam of the impacts of extreme weather on ports, the total climate risk could be worth up to US$7.6 billion (£6.2 billion) each year. In addition to these direct costs, port closures and reconstruction due to storms and other climate hazards put an estimated US$67 billion of trade at risk annually. 

Finally, the costs of upgrading port infrastructure to be more resilient in the face of sea level rise, storm surge and other climate-driven weather extremes are substantial, with one analysis estimating that raising the height of existing port terminals alone could cost more than US$63 billion by the end of the century. Note that there is no simple formula that ports can use to determine the scale of investment needed. Anticipating the rate of sea level rise is particularly challenging due to uncertainties in the climate system. Ports that underestimate the rate and height of sea level rise in planning facility adaptations would not only waste money on the infrastructure investment but also on closures and reconstruction costs and then become inundated anyway. Of course, port adaptation plans that anticipate larger changes require longer lead times and more money. 

There is no doubt that the shipping sector faces potentially crippling costs and disruptions from the impacts of ocean warming and global warming generally. However, the sector also is a major contributor to the climate crisis, including the rapid rise in ocean temperatures. Commercial shipping’s reliance on energy-dense but dirty fossil fuels generates approximately one billion metric tonnes of GHGs every year, as well as black carbon and soot. As mentioned above, emissions of the latter, particularly in the Arctic, are significant to radiative heating of the atmosphere. As climate catastrophes threaten to debilitate the shipping sector, the industry must take immediate steps to eliminate its GHG emissions, as well as black carbon and soot. Early action includes maximizing energy efficiency of vessels through technical and operational measures such as wind propulsion and slow steaming; developing and deploying zero- and near-zero lifecycle emission alternative fuels; and investing in the infrastructure needed for resilient ports that can support the transition of the sector. Ship owners and operators, fuel producers and port authorities can take these steps now. However, early movers face significant risk, so it is imperative that governments, regional bodies and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) establish regulatory frameworks that provide certainty to industry on the direction and pace of the transition to zero-emission shipping and finance that can leverage private investment. Ocean Conservancy is spearheading a global, multiyear campaign with the long-term goal of fully decarbonizing global shipping, including sustained engagement at the IMO to push for Paris-aligned ambition and strong binding policy measures and efforts to shore up the U.S. as a national policy leader. There is no time for further delays. Maritime shipping must do its part to tackle climate change. But as the rapid increase in ocean temperatures proves, it needs to be just one part of an all-sectors clean-energy transition.

The post How is Ocean Warming Impacting the Shipping Industry? appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

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What the Foam?!

I’ve had the opportunity to travel to beaches around the world, from the white sands of the Dominican Republic to the fjords of Alaska. Even in places that couldn’t be more different from each other, there’s one kind of trash that always seems to show up: plastic foam. 

Plastic foam, known scientifically as “expanded polystyrene” and often referred to colloquially by the brand name “Styrofoam,” is probably not something you think about most of the time. But once you start looking for plastic foam, chances are, you’ll find it everywhere. In my case, that’s meant taking notice when I see plastic foam littering the streets, poking out of garbage bins in my neighborhood or even hiding in the corners of my living room, tiny reminders of packaging from furniture purchased months ago. 

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Plastic foam can be found almost anywhere you look in our environment. Plastic foam foodware items are consistently among the most collected items from beaches and waterways during Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup^®(ICC), with volunteers collecting more than 8.7 million foam cups, plates and takeout containers since 1986. In 2022, plastic foam takeout containers were the seventh most common item collected by volunteers globally—that’s the highest a plastic-foam item has ranked since Ocean Conservancy started tracking this category a decade ago.

Plastic foam fragments are even more common. Anyone who’s ever encountered plastic foam knows that it breaks apart easily and can be blown by the wind, and cleanup data bears this out. Nearly 30 million tiny foam pieces have been collected and recorded by International Coastal Cleanup volunteers, and foam pieces have been the most common type of microplastic collected by Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto’s International Trash Trap Network for two years running.

Not only is plastic foam everywhere, it’s also harmful. Marine species from sea turtles to shellfish have been found to ingest foam, and the chemical leaching from plastic foam has been found to harm sea life. Plastic foam is ALSO not recyclable, compostable or biodegradable. The longer you think about plastic foam, the clearer it becomes that we have a plastic foam fiasco on our hands. It’s enough for anyone to have a WTF moment!

America seems to be having a WTF moment, too. Ocean Conservancy’s new “What The Foam” report, shows that three quarters of Americans are concerned about plastic foam as a source of litter, and more than 70% across party lines would support a national ban on plastic-foam foodware. 

The good news is momentum to eliminate this material in the last decade has increased tremendously with many national, state and local governments phasing out plastic foam. At the same time, our ocean needs bigger and bolder action now, and there’s still a TON of plastic foam out there. Using 2021 Ocean Conservancy survey results that found 22% of all American takeout and food delivery orders contain plastic foam foodware, we estimate that at least 5.6 billion pieces of plastic foam are used by Americans each year—and of that, as high as 2.5 BILLION pieces end up contaminating recycling systems.

It’s time for ocean lovers everywhere to join us in saying “What The Foam?!,” and help us call for a national ban on this material, starting with plastic foam foodware.

So ahead of this year’s International Coastal Cleanup, we invite you to be a part of the movement to get this plastic foam off our beaches for good. Tell Congress to say, “What The Foam,” and pass legislation getting rid of these items across the country. Take stock of your own personal waste habits and look for reusable options. And join the International Coastal Cleanup this September and beyond. As you’re collecting ocean trash and data, take note of the plastic foam that you’re finding using Ocean Conservancy’s Clean Swell® app—chances are, it’ll add up, and you’ll have your own WTF moment. 

Read the report here.

Learn how to join a cleanup here.

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What is a Barrier Island?

Barrier islands, such as North Carolina’s Outer Banks, are thin stretches of land that run parallel to the shoreline and can change form based on wind and wave energy. They are usually separated from mainland areas by bodies of water such as sounds, creeks, bays and tidal basins and often support habitats like marshes and tidal flats. Barrier islands serve as frontline protection against threats such as major weather events and storm surges, and the calmer soundside or bayside waters often provide a safe haven and ideal nursery environments for many coastal wildlife species.

There are a number of barrier islands in the United States. In fact, more than a third of North America’s coastline is bordered by barrier islands, all documented through geological history.  Florida’s Miami Beach and New York’s Long Island are another two very famous barrier islands here. The formation of barrier islands depends on large amounts of sediment being deposited on a regular basis over long periods of time. If you take a look at North America’s Atlantic coast, you’ll spot a trend very quickly: There are an incredible number of rivers on this coast carrying sediment downstream. 

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At the end of the last Ice Age about 15,000 years ago, melting glaciers caused rapid sedimentary movement downstream toward the continental shelf. Sea levels were quickly rising, and the rapid waters kept sediment from settling. Once the rate of sea-level rise began to slow and stabilize, the deposited sediment from the post-Ice Age era began to build up in coastal areas. Thus, barrier islands began to take shape.

There are some areas where you won’t find barrier islands, however, and the Pacific Coast of the continental United States is one of them. Barrier islands require two key environmental elements to develop: flat terrain near the coast and low tectonic activity (as in places where earthquakes are rare). Due to the mountainous terrain of the West Coast and the much higher levels of tectonic activity, you won’t find any barrier islands on this side of the country.

It’s important to note that barrier islands are not permanent geological features. Just as they develop and grow over time thanks to shifting tides and changing weather patterns, they are also prone to consistent erosion. Under some circumstances, these islands are incredibly fragile and can even disappear completely. Sometimes, this happens naturally over time; other times, this rate of change is dramatically expedited by human activities. Today, the dangerous combination of climate change and human-induced erosion marks a major threat to barrier-island existence.

First, sediment changes from ship traffic and infrastructure projects like damming and dredging can greatly impact barrier-island ecosystems because they decrease the amount of stable sediment surrounding the islands that is key to keeping them strong. These human-induced or exacerbated issues alone cause significant threats to the existence of these special coastal features. However, when combined with climate change impacts like rising sea levels, the intensity of these threats becomes magnified. 

Without the protection of barrier islands, both native wildlife and coastal communities face even more climate-related threats, such as increased storm surges and major flooding events. Fortunately, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has numerous coastal resilience projects that help protect, preserve and fortify fragile ecosystems like barrier islands. However, NOAA’s funding can limit its ability to perform this critical work. Take action with Ocean Conservancy today and make sure Congress fully funds NOAA!

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