Oceans Overlooked in Climate Change Talks Despite Vital Role

⁣ Updated June 14, 2025

The⁤ world’s oceans, which absorb nearly a third of ‍all‍ carbon dioxide emissions and 90%‍ of the resulting excess‍ heat, are often left out of global ​climate change discussions, ‌experts say.

This ⁤omission is increasingly problematic as oceans face rising temperatures and acidification due to excess carbon dioxide, impacting marine ecosystems and their ⁤ability to regulate climate.

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, emphasizing the critical state ‍of ⁣the oceans. ⁣”The globe is burning. Our⁢ oceans are boiling,” he said, highlighting threats from rising sea levels and ‍ocean heatwaves.

The UNOC saw participation from over 120 countries, 50 world leaders, and 10,000 attendees, pushing for the ⁢inclusion of ocean issues in climate ​and biodiversity conversations, including the upcoming COP30‍ climate conference in Brazil.

Louis Lambrechts,from the ​Oceano Azul Foundation,noted the‌ slow integration of ocean issues into climate talks. He pointed out that even ⁣the Paris agreement, a⁢ landmark ​treaty on global warming, barely mentions the ocean.

Macron stressed the ocean’s potential for carbon capture and its role as ⁢a climate regulator, urging‌ action to protect ‍it before COP30.lambrechts emphasized the need for coherence between climate,⁢ biodiversity, and ocean policies.

Isabella Lövin, former Swedish climate and⁢ surroundings minister, said that integrating oceans into climate conversations has been a‌ long⁤ fight.She highlighted the ocean’s crucial role in staying below the 1.5C ⁢warming target.

Ana ‍Vasconcelos, a member of the European Parliament, warned​ against ignoring the ocean in climate⁤ and economic negotiations, calling for concrete commitments at UNOC that reflect​ the ocean’s role in solving the ‍climate crisis.

France and⁢ Brazil launched the Blue‌ NDC Challenge, urging countries to prioritize the ocean in their plans to meet the‌ Paris Agreement ‍goals. ⁢Updated ⁣plans are due by‌ September before COP30.

scientists released the Starfish Barometer at the⁣ conference, revealing rising sea levels, record temperatures, and rapid acidification, underscoring ​the climate disaster ⁣the ocean has been​ holding back.

Robert Blasiak, Associate Professor⁤ at the Stockholm Resilience Center, explained that without the ocean, land ⁤temperatures could be significantly higher. However, he cautioned that ⁢the ocean’s capacity​ to absorb heat​ is not unlimited.

Lambrechts likened ocean​ warming to a kettle boiling, creating ⁢dead zones and hindering ecosystems’ ability to store carbon, affecting fish populations and communities.

Experts suggest banning bottom trawling ​and⁤ deep ‍sea mining to protect ocean ⁤ecosystems. The EU’s marine Action Plan⁢ aims to⁢ phase out ⁤bottom trawling in marine protected areas by 2030.

Thirty-seven countries have signed a pause on deep sea mining,pending a better ​understanding of its impacts. Lövin stressed the importance of the precautionary principle in protecting the‌ ocean.

Vasconcelos called⁤ for ‌the EU to take a central ⁣role in International Seabed Authority (ISA) negotiations to align ocean governance with climate ‍priorities.

The EU unveiled ‌its ocean​ Pact, pledging €1 billion for ocean⁣ conservation, science, and sustainable fishing, and⁤ plans an Ocean Act in‍ 2027 to strengthen maritime spatial planning.

The US ⁢government’s absence from the conference was noted, contrasting‌ with the EU’s ‌efforts. Lövin criticized ‌this absence,emphasizing the need for global cooperation to protect the planet.

What’s next

The⁢ upcoming COP30 in Brazil presents a crucial opportunity to fully integrate ocean considerations into global⁤ climate strategies. Experts hope that increased awareness and concrete commitments will lead to more effective protection and sustainable management of our oceans.