Baxter, J. M.

L’océan représente 97% de l’espace physique habitable de la planète et joue un rôle central dans le maintien de la vie sur Terre. Depuis les années 2000 que des efforts considérables et spécifiques ont été déployés pour mieux faire connaître et comprendre les conséquences des émissions de gaz à effet de serre sur les océans. Le dioxyde de carbone émis par les activités humaines conduit les océans vers des conditions plus acides, phénomène connu sous le nom d’acidification des océans.

El océano representa el 97% del espacio físico habitable del planeta y es fundamental para mantener la vida en la Tierra. Solo desde el año 2000 se han realizado esfuerzos importantes y dedicados a aumentar la sensibilización y comprensión de las consecuencias de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero en los océanos. Actualmente sabemos que el dióxido de carbono que emiten las actividades humanas está dando lugar a condiciones de mayor acidez en el océano.

The ocean represents 97% of the physical habitable space on the planet and is central to sustaining all life on Earth. Since 2000 significant and dedicated effort has been directed at raising awareness and understanding of the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions on the ocean. Carbon dioxide emitted by human activities is driving the ocean towards more acidic conditions.

The ocean represents 97% of the physical habitable space on the planet and is central to sustaining all life on Earth. Since 2000 significant and dedicated effort has been directed at raising awareness and understanding of the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions on the ocean. Carbon dioxide emitted by human activities is driving the ocean towards more acidic conditions.

The ocean on which Earth depends for relatively predictable weather, temperature and provisioning of goods and services is now changing more rapidly than it has for millions of years. This is due to human interactions with the  atmosphere and land, and increasing expansion of the footprint of human impacts across the ocean.

The ocean is a major player in the regulation of the world’s climate system. The purpose of the report is to provide information to underpin the outcomes of COP21 and in particular to demonstrate the importance of the role of MPAs in climate change adaptation and mitigation. To do this the report brings together scientific information on how MPAs can help to solve climate change issues in coastal and ocean ecosystems.

Ocean warming may well turn out to be the greatest hidden challenge of our generation. This report represents the most comprehensive review to date on ocean warming.