ocean-climate.org OCEAN AND CLIMATE SCIENTIFIC NOTES ocean-climate.org Why an “Ocean and Climate” Platform? The ocean is a key element of the global climate system, but so far it has been relatively absent from discussions on climate change. For all of us participating in the Ocean and Climate Platform, it is essential to include the ocean among the issues and challenges discussed in the context of climate negotiations. Covering 71 % of the globe, the World Ocean is a It is therefore urgent to maintain the functional qua- complex ecosystem that provides essential services lity of marine ecosystems and restore those that for the maintenance of life on Earth. More than 25 % are deteriorating. of the CO2 emitted annually by humans into the at- mosphere is absorbed by the ocean, and it is also the The Ocean and Climate Platform was established from largest net supplier of oxygen in the world, playing an alliance of non-governmental organizations and an equally important role as forests. research institutes, with support from the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. The ocean is therefore the principal “lung” of the pla- net and is at the center of the global climate system. Today the Platform includes scientific organizations, universities, research institutions, non-profit associa- Although the ocean continues to limit global war- tions, foundations, science centers, public institutions ming, for several decades the pressure of human and business organizations, all acting to bring the beings – principally CO2 emissions, over-exploitation ocean to the forefront in climate discussions. of resources and pollution – has been degrading ma- rine ecosystems. The role of the ocean in regulating the climate is likely to be disrupted. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Scientific Committee Coordinator Françoise Gaill [email protected] WITH THE HELP OF: Nausicaá: Christine Causse Institut Océanographique, Prince Albert Ier de Monaco: Corinne Copin Ocean and Climate Platform: Ludovic Frère Escoffier, Clara Grillet, Louise Ras, Rebecca Daniel, Julien Voyé and Romain Schumm Translation: Marianne Biron Graphic design: Elsa Godet CITATION OCEAN AND CLIMATE, 2016 – Scientific Notes, Second edition, Tome 2. www.ocean-climate.org, 92 pages. With the support of October 2016 ocean-climate.org Our objectives During COP21, the Ocean and Climate Platform emphasized the importance of “a healthy ocean, a protected climate”. It is important to continue to show how the ocean is affected by climate change, and more importantly to show that “the ocean is part of the solution” against climate change. After the signature of the Paris Agreement, the • The fourth line is that of citizens and youth mobilization Platform has decided to pursue its action, in the field regarding June 8th World Ocean Day and mobilization of scientific knowledge, ecosystem based manage- days for Ocean and Climate issues (Ocean for Climate ment, maritime transport and mobilization based Days) during the Conferences of the Parties of the United on solid scientific grounds and its advocacy for Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. the integration of the ocean in the climate regime. This mobilization focuses on advocacy toward public The Platform has chosen to focus on 4 lines and to and private decision makers, disseminates scientific develop different topics in relation to economic so- knowledge and raises awareness toward the general lutions and nature based solutions in order to incor- public. June 8th and the Ocean for Climate Days will porate them into the Paris Agreement. become an international must for ocean and climate issues relayed on the web at the international level. Many • The first central line of the Platform refers to other converging events will punctuate the year 2016. the international reinforcement of the Scientific Committee and network for the production and As a transversal approach to these four lines, the Platform dissemination of climate solution. The Platform sup- follows the climate negotiation in order to facilitate the ports international scientific collaboration, notably in integration of ocean and climate advocacy. Lastly, the the framework of FACT-O (French American Climate Platform develops alliances with States committed to Talks on Ocean) which aims at promoting innova- the integration of the ocean in climate issues and of tive solutions at a global scale. These solutions will the climate in ocean governance. feed the advocacy thematic, define the ocean and climate science needs and feed the argument for an This year and beyond, depending on opportunities, the ocean report with the IPCC. Platform will be able to generate new topics within the “economic solutions” line, including Marine Renewable • The second line identified within the economic Energies (MRE) and within “ecosystem based mana- solutions is the development of maritime transpor- gement” including the consideration of blue carbon tation involved in the reduction of greenhouse gas in the climate regime. Lastly, in the end the Platform emissions. can develop a regional complementary approach to expand these lines. • The third line focuses on ecosystems resilience issues regarding climate change, including the key role of marine protected areas (MPAs). ocean-climate.org Table of contents Foreword Françoise Gaill..................................................................................................................................................................................06 Sea-level is rising Benoît Meyssignac...........................................................................................................................................................................08 The Long-Term Consequences of Climate Change on Oceans Xavier Capet….................................................................................................................................................................................10 Ocean Circulation and Climate: an Overview Bertrand Delorme and Yassir Eddebbar........................................................................................................................................12 The Ocean is Losing its Breath Kirsten Isensee, Lisa A. Levin, Denise Breitburg, Marilaure Gregoire, Veronique Garçon and Luis Valdés...............................20 Ocean, Biodiversity and Climate Gilles Bœuf........................................................................................................................................................................................28 Coral Reefs and Climate Change Denis Allemand................................................................................................................................................................................32 Coral Bleaching, an Imminent Threat to Marine Biodiversity Leïla Ezzat and Lucile Courtial........................................................................................................................................................40 A Case for the Deep Ocean Lisa A. Levin, Nadine Le Bris, Erik Cordes, Yassir Eddebbar, Rachel M. Jeffreys, Kirk N. Sato, Chih-Lin Wei and the climate change work group of DOSI Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative…............................................................45 Ecosystem Services of the Deep Ocean Jennifer T. Le and Kirk N. Sato.......................................................................................................................................................49 Marine Ecosystem Services in Europe Clara Grillet, Claire Bertin, Jennifer T. Le and Adrien Comte....................................................................................................55 Marine Protected Areas Networks and Climate Change, a Political Advocacy Christophe Lefebvre........................................................................................................................................................................63 Ocean, Environment, Climate Change and Human Migration Christine Causse, Daria Mokhnacheva and Guigone Camus.........................…........................................................................66 The Ocean in National Contributions of Mediterranean States Louise Ras.........................................................................................................................................................................................72 Which international law for ocean and climate? Bleuenn Guilloux and Romain Schumm........................................................................................................................................79 5 ocean-climate.org Foreword Françoise Gaill The ocean is an essential component of our planet’s cli- integrate the ocean – to mobilise. The marine civil society mate. Scientists know this, and have repeatedly proven it: must take part in the Action Agenda, suggest alternatives, without the ocean, our greenhouse gas emissions would bring forth and support initiatives, communicate good have disrupted the climate machine to a much greater practices and disseminate knowledge. The Ocean and extent. It is hence an essential regulator that is constantly Climate Platform is already on this path. threatened by human activity and by the consequences of global climate change. But above all, we must better understand the ocean – this vast, wide, diverse environment that contains so much The numbers speak for themselves. The ocean covers biodiversity