The ocean regulates global climate by its continual exchanges with the atmosphere, whether they happen through radiative, mechanical and gaseous processes. It absorbs, stocks and transfers the sun’s heat in its movements, influencing atmospheric temperatures and circulation. Its capacity to store heat is way more efficient than the continents’ or the atmosphere’s but we still ignore until when it will last.
Last September 25th, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing climate (SROCC) was launched, a reminder of the major challenge of understanding this complex ecosystem and the urgent necessity of preserving it from the many pressures it is undergoing.
In this perspective, and proceeding as in 2015 and 2016, the Ocean and Climate Platform is publishing 13 scientific sheets, produced by specialists of ocean sciences, ecosystems, biodiversity but also social sciences. This set of fact sheets uses a number of key elements from the SROCC, includes new data published after the elaboration of the Report, and puts in perspective the latest ocean-climate news.
This document aims to be used for reflections on adaptation strategies, to ease the understanding of ocean sciences and one another behavior and its impacts on living organisms. It was also produced as a basis of comprehension of challenges faced by humans and the implementation of solutions, for a healthy ocean, a protected climate.
Gaill F., Speich S., Bopp L., Bowler C., Guidi L., Le Bris N., Allemand D., Ezzat L., Boeuf G., Cury P., Gascuel D., Metian M., Quillérou E., Jacquot M., Cudennec A., Bailly D., Choquet A., Zakrewski L., Duvat V., Magnan A., Gattuso J.-P., Camus G., Causse C., Mokhnacheva D. & Guilloux B., 2020. Ocean & climate platform scientific fact sheets. Ocean & Climate Platform. Report.
