The ocean has been quietly doing the heavy lifting in the climate crisis — absorbing over 90% of excess heat and acting as a massive carbon sink.
That’s possible thanks to water’s high heat capacity and the sheer scale of our seas, covering 70% of Earth’s surface. But this protection comes at a rising cost:
🌡️ Record-breaking ocean temperatures (2024)
📈 Rising sea levels + melting ice
🪸 Coral reef collapse + stressed ecosystems
🌪️ Stronger storms + coastal risk
If we want the ocean to keep buffering life on Earth, we need to ease the pressure:
🔹 Slash emissions
🔹 Expand marine protected areas
🔹 Restore marine ecosystems
🔹 Invest in blue carbon & ocean innovation
What other actions should be part of a Sustainable Ocean Plan?
Credit: WEF and NASA
