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World Ocean Conference 2009
Identification of Key Issues |
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There are a number of key issues to be discussed in relation to the WOC2009 theme, including:
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| A. Climate Change Impacts |
There are a number of phenomena and extreme events directly cause by global climate change which we can readily see and feel. However many other impacts still need to be identified and defined, through research, data analysis and modelling.
Some of the noticeable climate change impacts which we are now seeing and experiencing include:
- The effects of climate change on the social and economic livelihoods of coastal peoples and people whose livelihoods depend on the sea, caused by changes in the migrations routes of fish, coral bleaching which reduces the productivity of coral reefs which are the habitat of many valuable fisheries resources, increased risks to human health, increased risk to sea-going vessels and interruptions in marine transportation (due to extreme weather) which tend to increase the isolation of people living on small islands, and so on.
- The impacts of climate change on the condition of marine and coastal ecosystems: sea level rise, ocean acidification, ocean warming, the increase in frequency and severity of tropical storms, the increasing frequency of extreme sea condition (large waves), changes in rainfall patterns with more heavy rain and droughts, the likelihood that many small islands will disappear due to seal level rise and underwater tectonic activities, the likelihood of major shifts in ocean currents including the Indonesian Through Flow (ARLINDO), the loss of land due to coastal abrasion, and so on.
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| B. The role of the oceans in regulating climate change |
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Mangrove ecosystems are one of the coastal ecosystems which play a major role in shoreline protection, helping to reduce the threat of coastal erosion. They also play a role through the absorption of CO2 emissions.
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Phytoplankton and seagrass help to absorb greenhouse gasses such as CO2, through carbon sequestration and as a carbon sink.
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The immense volume of seawater is a key link in the hydrological cycle which regulates the availability of freshwater which is the basis of all human life on earth, as well as having a major impact on local climatic conditions.
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| C. Adaptation and Mitigation |
In order to protect seafaring, coastal and small island peoples from the effects of climate change and to ensure the conservation of the oceans so that they can continue to perform their functions and help us face climate change, the following are necessary:
- An approach based on scientific knowledge and reliable data when deciding on measures to anticipate and plan for mitigation and adaptation
- Analyses and studies to understand climate change trends, monitoring and mapping the areas affected, predict climate and weather conditions
- Mitigation efforts to reduce the number of victims and the extent of losses due to climate change: the development of marine protected areas, the implementation of integrated coastal management
- Climate change adaptation measures: empowering communities to face up to climate change, ensure food security, including the development of alternative livelihoods, etc.
- Look out for opportunities to change threats from climate change into opportunities, for example the development of wave energy and so on.
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| D. Opportunities for regional and international cooperation |
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Exchange of data and information, capacity building, technology transfer, research and sustainable funding
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Strategy to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in coastal states
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