The latest Copernicus Marine Service Ocean State Report has sadly found that not a single part of our oceans has been left untouched by what it calls the “Triple Planetary Crisis.”
The report highlights that every part of the ocean is now hit by climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The report highlights that when the ocean undergoes changes, all other interconnected items, such as society, marine ecosystems and the economy, also change.
Highlights of the report include:
- Climate change impacts every ocean: rapid warming, acidification, rising sea levels, and pervasive plastic pollution are altering all ocean basins and their ecosystems.
- Invasive species are reshaping Mediterranean fisheries: An extreme marine heatwave raised surface temperatures by up to 4.3°C, enabling non-native species to spread and causing local clam production collapses of 75–100% in some areas.
- Coastal communities face growing threats: Sea level rise is increasing flooding and erosion across the Northeastern Atlantic and nearby seas, putting roughly 200 million people and multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites at heightened risk.
- Ecosystem boundaries are shifting: The borders of biophysical provinces that determine the distribution and biomass of small marine organisms are moving. This will likely have cascading effects on global food webs and fisheries.
- Exceptional heat persisted in 2023: A record marine heatwave in the North Atlantic tropical region lasted much of 2023, with some locations experiencing unprecedented heatwave conditions for over 300 days.
You can find the full report here.
