Latest news with #oceanresearch
South China Morning Post
29-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Beijing's marine science diplomacy can calm South China Sea tensions
The South China Sea has long been a flashpoint in geopolitical tensions, but beneath its contested surface lies one of the planet's most scientifically compelling marine frontiers. Home to an array of deep-sea ecosystems, hydrothermal vents, underwater mountain ranges and vast coral reef systems, the region is increasingly recognised as a natural laboratory for cutting-edge oceanographic research. Climate change , biodiversity loss and overexploitation are putting mounting pressure on marine environments worldwide. Amid this, the South China Sea stands out for its environmental significance as well as the diplomatic opportunity it presents: a chance to pivot from conflict to cooperation through shared scientific enterprise. In recent years, China has asserted itself at the centre of this emerging science-based diplomacy. With heavy investment in ocean technology scientific expeditions and international research partnerships , Beijing is now poised to take a leadership role in shaping a collaborative marine science agenda in the region. Central to this effort is the vision of building a network of marine protected areas across the South China Sea. Unlike isolated conservation zones , these areas are designed to function ecologically and operationally as interconnected systems. They facilitate the movement of marine species, enhance genetic diversity, provide resilience against climate stressors such as ocean acidification and warming seas, and serve as platforms for international research. Spanning around 3.5 million sq km, the South China Sea is one of the world's most ecologically and geologically rich marine regions with more than 3,000 fish species , vibrant coral reefs and largely uncharted deep-sea habitats. Its sea floor holds vital clues to the Earth's geological past and the unfolding story of global climate change. Marine scientists see this area as a treasure trove of research opportunities. A forum organised by the journal National Science Review at the Annual Conference of the South China Sea-Deep Programme, held in January in Shanghai, highlighted the region's significance as a 'fantastic natural laboratory' for deep-sea research and emphasised the importance of international collaboration in exploring and preserving these ecosystems.
Zawya
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
UAE hosts the first intergovernmental session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Central Indian Ocean
Ras Al Khaimah: The UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, in collaboration with UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), hosted the First Intergovernmental Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO-1) recently, in Ras Al Khaimah. This milestone event reflects the UAE's long-standing commitment to strengthening international cooperation in scientific research and the protection of the marine environment. The meeting established a foundational framework for IOCINDIO's work, strengthening regional cooperation in ocean sciences and supporting progress toward key sustainable development goals. It brought together experts from international organizations specializing in ocean research and marine science. The meeting addressed several key themes, including the development of joint strategies to conserve marine ecosystems, the enhancement of research and technical capabilities among member states, and the expansion of knowledge in ocean monitoring and marine resource management. It also laid the groundwork for a collaborative framework to tackle shared environmental challenges, such as climate change and ocean pollution. IOCINDIO, a regional body under UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), aims to strengthen cooperation among Indian Ocean rim countries in the fields of scientific research and sustainable development. Underscoring the UAE's growing leadership on the global stage, the UAE was elected Chair of the Commission, represented by His Excellency Dr. Saif Mohammed Al Ghais, former Director General of the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah. This prestigious appointment enables the UAE to play a central role in guiding the Commission's strategic direction, providing technical and logistical support, and advancing the coordination of regional scientific initiatives and events. His Excellency Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, stated: 'The founding meeting of the Oceanographic Commission represents a significant milestone in the UAE's ongoing commitment to supporting UNESCO's programmes, particularly in the vital field of ocean sciences, which has become a global priority. At the National Commission, we remain dedicated to strengthening the UAE's presence on international scientific and cultural platforms through active collaboration with both local and global partners.' Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment said: 'We are proud to contribute to this important scientific event, which reflects the UAE's forward-looking vision to protect the marine environment and advance regional research in ocean sciences. Our collaboration with UNESCO and participating nations underscores our shared commitment to building a sustainable future for marine ecosystems.' His Excellency Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, stated: 'The meeting aligns with Ras Al Khaimah's broader strategy to support environmental and scientific initiatives while reinforcing the Emirate's position as a global hub for sustainable events. We are proud to provide a welcoming and enabling environment that fosters meaningful scientific dialogue, with the potential to positively impact coastal communities in the UAE and across the region.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Hope floats: Scientists studying ocean-based solutions to climate change
At a time when the federal government is cutting climate research and staff who protect our environment and forecast extreme weather, it can be hard to be hopeful about curbing climate change. 'Hope floats' is an expression for challenging times, when hope is most needed to overcome obstacles to resilience. You know what else floats? Huge, steel-hulled research vessels, out at sea in gale-force winds, carrying scientists who are testing ways to enable the ocean to remove more carbon from the air. Say what? That sounded like an optimistic idea, so my filmmaking team hitched a ride on one of the expeditions supported by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), a leading independent non-profit research institution in Massachusetts. Their scientists work far away from Florida, but their experiments benefit us locally. Carbon emissions trap heat in the atmosphere, warming the planet and causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt while also expanding seawater, causing sea level rise. In Florida, rising seas can lead to increased flooding during storms and king tides. Water tables also rise, pushing saltwater into our freshwater sources. More: Palm Beach Zoo is helping save Florida's coral reef with a small team of divers and hope WHOI scientists conduct their work out in the cold mid-ocean, braving 15-foot waves and seasickness, balancing beakers while clinging to gunwales. 'We've known for a long time that the oceans play a critical role in the regulation of climate, of global temperature and of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere,' said geochemist Adam Subhas of WHOI. We've read that the ocean already absorbs approximately 30% of the carbon we emit. The WHOI scientists strive to learn how to enable the ocean to absorb even more. 'Alkalinity is the opposite of acidity,' Subhas said. 'Substances like sodium hydroxide, the alkalinity source we'll be using, are routinely used to adjust the pH of drinking water, and the two chemical components of sodium hydroxide are common in seawater. 'Our results show that if we're able to temporarily raise the pH in a patch of the ocean, the surface waters will absorb more carbon dioxide, before quickly returning to normal.' There are several science organizations and companies that have caught this wave, launching field trials to test ocean-based climate solutions. Raising millions in startup funding or selling carbon credits have helped to finance these efforts. They're in a rush, and with good reason – our atmosphere's carbon count just keeps getting higher. More: Sea level rise, climate change linked to first South Florida extinction event in country The non-profit network Ocean Visions monitors progress on ocean-based carbon removal issues: efficacy, safety, durability and measurability. For example, it's not easy to determine how much carbon is actually being removed from the atmosphere by each approach. Modelling helps, but to be certain, you need to get underwater. The scientists at Hourglass Climate, a carbon removal verification company, are developing novel measurement techniques. The founder and CEO, Grace Andrews, is highly motivated to help marine carbon dioxide removal succeed. 'We still have to do widespread emission reductions,' Andrews reminds us. 'Plus we also have to do gigaton-scale carbon dioxide removal. By combining both of these, that's really the only way we have any chance of meeting our climate goals.' WHOI scientists conduct these experiments when conditions are best during the summer, although hurricanes are an occasional hazard. While they work on the surface to coax carbon out of the air and into the sea, Andrews and her colleagues are underwater in scuba gear to measure the dissolved inorganic carbon that results from the process. Why does she do it? 'I do it for my kids – they're the ones who will be around to tell us whether or not we hit our climate goals. They'll be the ones by mid-century, thinking about whether to have children, if we have curbed climate change, and are we living in a world that's safe? 'So, I do this for them,' Andrews said, 'to try and give them that world.' With a new baby at home, Subhas concurs. 'It is important that research to test the safety and effectiveness of this technique move forward. The cost of not doing this research – a planet, and an ocean, in crisis – is too great.' To the ocean scientists preparing to embark on upcoming expeditions, we thank you, and wish you fair winds and a following sea. Katie Carpenter is a West Palm Beach-based filmmaker with Everwild Media, producing documentaries about conservation, climate change and solutions. This opinion piece was distributed by The Invading Sea website. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Oceans are getting sick. We need to cut carbon emissions. | Opinion
