'All is not lost': How we can protect the ocean from climate change
OPINION: The ocean is the heart of the climate system. And much like our arteries and veins which transport blood around the human body to help regulate our temperature, ocean currents transport heat around the ocean to regulate global temperature. These currents, such as the East Australian current, which travels southward into the Tasman Sea, were made famous by Finding Nemo. They influence ocean and air temperature, the location and occurrence of storms and rainfall, and the quantity and location of important fisheries. But we are hurting our oceanic heart. The excessive consumption of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is increasing global temperature . The recent sixth assessment report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that "it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land." Changes in air temperature cause changes in global wind patterns, causing changes in ocean currents, which impact society through associated changes in temperature, storms, and fisheries. The East Australian current has been extending further south and strengthening over recent decades . Like a hair dryer being turned up, this strengthening has resulted in more warm water being transported further south. And although the current carries the word Australia in its name, these changes have impacts for us over here in New Zealand too. READ MORE: * Want to save the planet? Give up junk food, booze, and coffee * Sustainable fish and the seaweed revolution * Forum behind efforts to clean up Manawatu River nets river health award * Marine heatwaves during winter could have dire impacts on New Zealand fisheries and herald more summer storms Strengthening of the East Australian current can cause pools of abnormally warm water (known as marine heatwaves) to form in the Tasman Sea. Tasman Sea marine heatwaves can influence weather conditions over New Zealand, for instance causing exceptionally warm air temperatures. If we continue on our present-day trajectory of fossil fuel consumption, which seems more and more likely as national and international inaction continues, these marine heatwaves will become commonplace. Some areas of the ocean are even expected to reach a permanent marine heatwave state, meaning that ocean temperatures will be above normal year-round in these locations. This is not good news. All is not lost, however. Governments can prevent the worst of these changes from happening. Introducing and enforcing climate-friendly legislation will allow the ocean to heal. We need to conserve natural habitats and promote the adoption of sustainable technologies. But the most important thing we can do, of course, is reduce our consumption of fossil fuels and emission of greenhouse gases. As part of the recent COP26, New Zealand pledged to halve our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. We must hold the New Zealand Government (and local governments) accountable to this commitment, irrespective of which parties are in power. And this commitment needs to come about through domestic reductions. We should not be relying on other countries to meet our emissions reductions for us, which is essentially what our current commitment relies on. Development of new technologies will also help. Beyond the obvious environmental benefits, the implementation of new green technologies, as well as now-established technology, such as wind and solar renewable energy sources, can create new job opportunities. Ignoring the problem is not an option. After all, when the human heart is injured, urgent action is often needed. The Earth is no different, and action is urgently needed to protect the heart of the climate system the ocean. Mitchell Chandler is a PhD student at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, and was the recipient of a Fulbright New Zealand Science and Innovation scholarship. Stuff Nation