POLICY OPTIONS
In the discussions on climate change, marine ecosystems have not received sufficient
attention considering their importance for both mitigation and adaptation. A major con
tributing factor has been the complexity of marine ecosystems, their status as an interna
tional and common property resource, and the absence of robust mitigation metrics.
While numerous technical issues await full scientific and politi- with many unknown variables and high risk of potential side ef-
cal consensus, international climate change instruments need fects (see Factbox 5). These proposals should not be dismissed,
to remain open to the development of agreed mechanisms and but before being operationalized on a large or commercial scale,
measures which support marine ecosystem coherence and re- more research and careful, thorough evaluation is required.
silience and build on the strong synergies between mitigation
and adaptation. Options that can both reduce and mitigate climate change, in-
crease food security, benefit health and subsequent productiv-
Marine ecosystems have, until very recently, been vastly over- ity and generate jobs and business are therefore of major im-
looked in climate change mitigation and adaptation debates. To- portance. This is contrary to the perception that mitigation or
day’s economies are mainly based on burning of fossil fuels. For emission reduction is seen as a cost and not an investment. Im-
many countries, there will be major challenges in developing proved integrated management of the coastal and marine envi-
industry and expanding transport while reducing emissions. It ronments, including protection and restoration of our ocean’s
is absolutely critical that while emission reductions of brown blue carbon sinks, provides one of the strongest win-win miti-
and black carbon are made, we must also maintain, and expand, gation efforts known today. It may provide value-added benefits
the ability of the biosphere, and in particular the oceans, to con- well in excess of its cost, but has not yet been recognized in the
tinue to capture and bind the carbon that we emit. There is an global protocols and carbon trading systems.
urgent need for new ways to reduce the impact of continuing
emissions, not just by adapting, but also by ensuring that as Blue carbon sinks cover only a fraction of the world’s oceans
much carbon as possible is taken up by the natural system – and – and yet are critical and among the most effective carbon
stored. Oceans have acted as one of the largest natural carbon sinks known today. They provide valuable ecosystem services
sinks throughout history and their ability to continue this role for fisheries, tourism and coastal economies. But they are dis-
should be enhanced. A word of caution is, however, warranted: appearing at a rate higher than any other ecosystem on earth.
there is no ‘golden key’ to solve all problems. New innovate Less than two decades remain to secure them and restore them,
short-term solutions, including geo-engineering options such as with immediate carbon-binding effect and immediate returns
fertilizing the oceans or pumping CO
2
into the deep seas raise in terms of fisheries and added benefits from improved shore-
serious ecological, economic, political and ethical challenges, line protection and ecosystem services.
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