Climate change is already affecting the ability of marine and coastal ecosystems to provide food, income, protection, cultural identity and recreation to coastal residents, especially in vulnerable communities in tropical and low-lying areas and small island developing states (SIDS).
While adaptation to sea level rise and changes in ocean circulation may be feasible up to certain limits, there are few if any adaptation options to ocean acidification. Yet the role of oceans and the state of knowledge about acidification within the UNFCCC negotiations is extremely limited. The UNU Institute for Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) is working with partners to develop awareness of this crucial issue within the negotiation process.
Focus areas:
Adaptation
Regions covered:
Global
Participating entities:
WMO, UNESCO, UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOLAS)
Non-UN partners:
The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Pew Foundation, and University of British Colombia (UBC) and the Global Oceans Forum
Results:
Key products for COP 15: Ocean acidification – what we know and need to know to effectively account for this impact
The IPCC has identified local knowledge as an important missing element in its previous assessments and a focus for its next assessment process. The UNU-IAS Traditional Knowledge Initiative looks at this important area.
GEIC is a joint initiative between the United Nations University and the Minstry of the Environment, Japan.
Links
On 7 December 2009, the international community will gather at a conference in Copenhagen to try to find a solution to the gravest danger our planet faces: climate change.
Global Dashboard, edited by David Steven and Alex Evans, offers insightful analysis of vital issues including climate change, the food crisis, and human security. Be sure to read their article Climate Change: The State of the Debate(PDF).
