Ocean and climate change:
science-based decision-making
Andrei Polejack
Coordinator for Oceans Sciences and Antarctica
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation – MCTI
2010/11 fellow
BRAZIL
Disclaimer: this presentation does not necessarily represent the view of the institutions the author represent
How Oceans affect climate and vice versa?
Ocean circulation
I hope the NASA video works...
Termohaline Circulation
Ocean circulation
The Atlantic-Indian Supergyre
Regional Relevance
REMO
The circulation off Brazilian shores is part of the Atlantic-Indian “Super-Gyre”
Changes in the “Agulhas Leakage” will fatally affect the Atlantic Ocean and,
consequently, the Brazilian coastal zones as well.
Ocean and Climate
Ocean and Climate
Ocean acidification
Questions
• How do we measure those aspects?
• How does it impact decision-making?
Ocean Observing Systems
Atlantic Ocean Moored Buoys Programs
- OSNAP: Overturning in the Subpolar
North Atlantic Program
- RAPID: monitoring the Atlantic Meridional
Overturning Circulation at 26.5°N (derived
from the Rapid Climate Change Program)
- PIRATA: Prediction and Research moored
Array in the Tropical Atlantic
- MOVAR: Monitoring the upper ocean
thermal variability between Rio de Janeiro
and Trindade island
- ATLAS-B: Development and mooring of a
Brazilian prototype of TAO Atlas buoy
- SAMOC: South Atlantic Meridional
Overturning Circulation
Drifters, gliders, you name it!
IOC - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
At the UN level:
IOC plays a role as the focal point within the UN system for ocean sciences,
observations, services, data and information exchange and capacity development.
As such, it will contribute to a number of UN processes, respond to the needs
expressed by the UN General Assembly, and play an active role in UN inter-agency
mechanisms and activities.
“The IOC contribution to various ocean–related UN inter-agency activities are:
• UN-Oceans
• GESAMP - Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine
Environmental Protection
• activities on Rio+20 follow-up and Sustainable Development Goal process
• the Secretary-General Oceans Compact
• the World Bank’s Global Partnership for Oceans
• the Global Framework for Climate Services
• the ITU-IOC-WMO Joint Task Force on submarine cables.”
IOC - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
In 2015:
IOC climate change programmes include:
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GOOS - Global Ocean Observing System
WCRP - World Climate Research Programme
OOPC - Ocean Observations Panel for Climate
GLOSS - Global Sea Level Observing System
OBIS - Ocean Biogeographic Information System
IOCCP - International Ocean Carbon Coordination Project
GO-SHIP - Global Ocean Ship Based Hydrographic Investigations Programme
Ocean-Acidification
GCRMN - Climate Change and ecosystems, coral reefs
GLOBEC - Climate Change and ecosystem dynamics
ACC Africa - Adaptation Climate Change in Africa
ACCC-WAfrica - Adaptation Climate and Coastal Change in West Africa
IOC - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
UN Ocean Atlas
UN Milleniun Goals
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources
Target: Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through
enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
Target: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine
technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean
health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of
developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed
countries
States, civil society, NGOs, etc etc etc
Scientific advise happens at all levels where information is required, which includes:
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Government advisors
Society (including traditional knowledge)
NGOs
Regional organizations
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June, 2015 - Ocean and Climate platform
Aims to, in Paris, at the 21st United Nations Climate Conference:
1. integrate the ocean in the debate on climate, and contribute to successful negotiations
for an ambitious agreement at the COP21;
2. increase public awareness about the importance of the ocean in the global climate
system;
3. promote scientific knowledge about the links between ocean and climate;
4. inform and instruct public and private policy makers on ocean and climate issues.
THE OCEAN, THE PLANET’S THERMOSTAT
THE OCEAN, ORIGIN OF LIFE ON EARTH
FROM THE OCEAN TO THE CLOUDS
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION
THE DECLINE OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY
AN OCEAN UNDER PRESSURE
Ocean and Climate platform - Scientific Notes
Scientific notes are on the following issues:
-Ocean, Heat Reservoir
-The Ocean: a Carbon Pump
-Sea Level Rise
-Ocean Acidification
-The Ocean is Losing its Breath
-The Deep Ocean: Which Climate Issues?
-Ocean, Biodiversity and Climate
-Ecosystem Services and Marine Conservation
-Coral Reefs and Climate Change
-Exploited Marine Biodiversity and Climate Change
-Aquaculture and Global Changes
-Small Islands, Ocean and Climate
-Informing Climate Investment Priorities for Coastal Populations
-The Arctic: Opportunities, Concerns and Challenges
Basic principles to deal with scientific information
• Science changes over time
• Science deals with uncertainty or how to
overcome it
• Scientists are not obliged to see the “big picture”
• Science does not need to be political (although
many times is)
• In decisions where there is no sufficient scientific
knowledge (almost all) – precautionary approach
is applied... Based on science!
• Not all scientists “know it all”, they are PEOPLE!
Contacts:
[email protected]