The Ocean's Role in Climate Change

How do oceans prevent our planet from becoming a fiery wasteland? Find out in this captivating episode of Talking Climate Change with Yash Negi, where I uncover the pivotal role oceans play in regulating Earth's climate. You'll learn how these vast bodies of water absorb 90% of the excess heat from human-induced greenhouse gas emissions and the vital processes involved in the global carbon cycle. Discover the intricacies of the solubility pump and the biological pump, both critical in sequestering CO2 and supporting marine ecosystems. 

But the story doesn't end there. I'll also explore how ocean currents like the Gulf Stream and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current redistribute heat from the equator to the poles, balancing temperatures and influencing global weather patterns. Learn about the changes in sea levels, ocean circulation, and the populations of essential marine species like phytoplankton, caused by rising global temperatures. Despite their monumental importance, oceans have been overlooked in climate discussions—tune in to understand why they must be at the forefront of our fight against climate change.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome back to another episode of Talking Climate Change with Yash Negi. This is your host and today I am diving into a topic that has vast and essential as a subject itself. You have already seen the episode title right the role of oceans in regulating our planet's climate. Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface and are responsible for regulating climate in a multitude of ways. Without oceans, our planet's climate would be vastly different, inhospitable to life as we know it. But how exactly do these vast bodies of water accomplish such a monumental task? Let's understand. First and foremost, the oceans act as a massive heat sink. They absorb about 90% of the excess heat generated by human-induced greenhouse gas emission. This process is crucial because it prevents the Earth's atmosphere from overheating. In fact, without the oceans, the average surface temperature of our planet, which currently hovers around 15°C, could soar to around 50°C, from 15 to 50. You know, such a drastic increase would make the Earth uninhabitable for most forms of life Inhabitable for most forms of life. The ocean's ability to absorb and redistribute heat across the globe is what keeps our climate relatively stable. But you know, absorbing heat is just one part of the story.

Speaker 1: 2:05

Oceans also play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. The world's oceans have taken up about 26% of the human-made CO2 emissions since the industrial revolution. This CO2 is absorbed by the ocean's surface waters and transported to the deep ocean through two primary processes the solubility pump and the biological pump. So let's understand what the solubility pump and biological pump is. So the solubility pump operates through the physical properties of seawater. Pump operates through the physical properties of seawater. Cold waters at high latitudes absorb CO2 more efficiently and, being denser, these waters sink, carrying the dissolved CO2 into the deep ocean, where it can remain for centuries. This mechanism is vital in keeping excess CO2 out of the atmosphere and mitigating its greenhouse effects. The biological pump is equally fascinating and perhaps even more critical. Microscoping plants known as phytoplankton, which thrive in the sunlit upper layers of the ocean, use CO2 for photosynthesis, converting it into organic matter and oxygen. So when these organisms die, their remains sink through the water column, undergoing various transformations in what is called the ocean's twilight zone depths between 100 to 1000 meters, and a portion of this organic carbon eventually reaches the deep ocean, where it can be stored for millennia, further reducing the atmospheric CO2 level. This process not only regulates CO2, but also supports marine food webs, influencing the entire oceanic ecosystems.

Speaker 1: 4:06

The oceans are not critical in carbon sequestration, but also play a role in regulating global weather patterns. Through large-scale ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, heat is redistributed from the equator towards the poles, balancing temperature differences between the regions. This heat distribution is fundamental in creating and maintaining the climate zones that define our planet's various ecosystems. Moreover, oceans influence atmospheric moisture and weather systems. As the largest source of evaporation on Earth, the oceans feed the water cycle, leading to cloud formation and precipitation. This process is essential for maintaining life on land, as it drives the distribution of freshwater resources across the globe.

Speaker 1: 5:09

Yet the relationship between the oceans and climate is not just one way. As our climate changes due to human activities, the oceans are being impacted in return. Rising global temperatures are leading to increased ocean heat content, which in turn affects sea level and ocean circulation pattern. The changes in sea ice and glaciers driven by warmer ocean temperatures have profound implications for global sea level and, consequently, for coastal communities around the world. You know, one of the most striking impacts of climate change on ocean is what Is the alteration of phytoplankton population. You see in the Southern Ocean, for instance, changes in the timing and magnitude of phytoplankton blooms are already being observed. These shifts are more significant than you say previously predicted and could have cascading effects on marine ecosystems, impacting species from krill to whales, which depend on these microscoping plants for food. So as these ecosystems are disrupted, the ocean's ability to regulate climate through the biological pump could be compromised.

Speaker 1: 6:36

Despite their critical role, oceans have been overlooked in global climate discussion. However, recent scientific research and international agreements are starting to recognize the oceans as a key player in the fight against climate change. The oceans are now being framed out not just as victims of climate change, but as a part of the solution. You see, initiatives like the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development are pushing for greater understanding and action to protect and harness the ocean potential in climate regulation. And as we continue to pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, the pressure on our ocean increases. Their ability to absorb CO2 and heat is not infinite and there are signs that these processes are beginning to slow down, and this highlights the urgency of reducing emissions and protecting our ocean. Failure to do so could lead to a scenario where the ocean becomes less effective and buffering climate impacts, resulting in accelerated global warming and more extreme climate events.

Speaker 1: 7:54

In conclusion, the oceans are far more than just bodies of water. In conclusion, the oceans are far more than just bodies of water. They are the lungs and hearts of our planet, playing an indispensable role in regulating climate, supporting biodiversity and sustaining life on Earth. As we face the growing threat of climate change, it is crucial that we deepen our understanding of the oceans' functions and work collectively to protect and restore these vital ecosystems, because our future depends on it. Thank you for joining me on this episode of Role of Oceans in Climate Regulation, and that is it for this episode. Until next time, keep learning, stay curious and let's work together to protect our planet.