There’s a heatwave in the sea and scientists are worried
There's a heatwave in the sea and scientists are worried BBC
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Could warmer ocean temperatures be a sign climate change has progressed further than we thought?
The Record-Breaking Heatwave
- The month of June and the first few days of July were hotter than any in recorded history, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
- Residents in the south of the US and southern Europe have been enduring sweltering temperatures, bringing excessive heat warnings, wildfires, and plummeting air quality.
- Global ocean sea surface temperatures were higher than any previous June on record, with satellite readings in the North Atlantic particularly “off the charts”.
- Water temperatures around Florida have been particularly warm, and a large ongoing marine heatwave off the west coast of the US and Canada has been tracked since May.
The Intensifying Heatwave
- While the heatwave has lessened in the north-east Atlantic, another heatwave in the western Mediterranean now appears to be intensifying, particularly around the Strait of Gibraltar.
- This week, sea surface temperatures along the coasts of Southern Spain and North Africa were 2-4C (3.6-7.2F) higher than they would normally be at this time of year.
- Extreme marine temperatures have also been observed around Ireland, the UK, the Baltic Sea, and areas near New Zealand and Australia.
- Scientists suspect a possible heatwave south of Greenland in the Labrador Sea.
The Impact of Marine Heatwaves
- Marine heatwaves can affect ocean life, fisheries, and weather patterns.
- Record high temperatures can destroy vital marine habitats such as kelp forests, which offer sanctuary and provide food for many fish species.
- Marine heatwaves can trigger mass coral bleaching events and increase stress on reef ecosystems worldwide.
- Marine heatwaves make it easier for invasive species to thrive.
The Concerns and Warnings
- The persistence of recent marine heatwaves is a worrying sign about how climate change is unfolding.
- The North Atlantic is a key driver of extreme weather, including hurricanes and droughts in central Africa.
- The drop in phytoplankton in the western North Atlantic has already been seen, affecting the marine food chain and global ocean CO2 uptake.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 13: Climate Action – The increasing ocean temperatures and marine heatwaves highlight the urgent need for climate action to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – Marine heatwaves have significant consequences for ocean life, fisheries, and ecosystems, threatening the achievement of SDG 14 targets.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – The impacts of marine heatwaves can also extend to land, affecting weather patterns and terrestrial ecosystems.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
The article discusses the impact of marine heatwaves and rising ocean temperatures, which are directly related to climate change. This aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Additionally, the article highlights the effects of marine heatwaves on marine life and ecosystems, which is relevant to SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
- SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
- SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities
- SDG 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
The article emphasizes the need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards such as marine heatwaves (SDG 13.1). It also highlights the importance of education and awareness-raising on climate change impacts and adaptation measures (SDG 13.3). Furthermore, the article discusses the adverse impacts of marine heatwaves on marine ecosystems and the need to prevent marine pollution and sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems (SDG 14.1 and SDG 14.2).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Increase in ocean surface temperatures
- Indicator: Frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves
- Indicator: Impact on phytoplankton abundance
- Indicator: Changes in marine biodiversity and species distribution
- Indicator: Reduction in marine pollution
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include monitoring the increase in ocean surface temperatures, tracking the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves, assessing the impact on phytoplankton abundance, observing changes in marine biodiversity and species distribution, and evaluating the reduction in marine pollution.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning |
Increase in ocean surface temperatures Frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | 14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities 14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
Impact on phytoplankton abundance Changes in marine biodiversity and species distribution Reduction in marine pollution |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: bbc.com
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