Chapter 1: The Ocean's Role in Climate Change Mitigation

In recent years, the ocean has played a crucial role in absorbing approximately 25% of the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from human activity, significantly aiding in the fight against climate change. Marine carbon dioxide removal (CDR) aims to enhance this natural absorption process. Researchers are actively exploring various projects to assess the viability, costs, advantages, risks, and sustainability of these CDR methods. However, a significant gap exists in public discourse regarding humanity's right to manipulate ocean processes to combat climate change, especially given the unpredictable nature of potential risks and outcomes.

Critics of ocean-based CDR highlight the fragile condition of the world's oceans and the uncertainties surrounding the consequences of implementing such strategies. In contrast, proponents argue that effective climate action necessitates these measures, asserting that ocean-based CDR offers us a crucial opportunity to buy time for developing alternative low-carbon solutions.

Amidst these differing perspectives, the latest edition of the World Ocean Review dedicates its focus to carbon dioxide removal. Collaborating with over 20 scientists, it emphasizes the urgent need for decisive climate action and elucidates the mechanisms through which oceans capture and sequester carbon dioxide for extended periods. The review investigates the potential for carbon uptake by land-based vegetation, discusses the oceans' pivotal role in climate conversations, and provides a comprehensive overview of promising oceanic carbon capture and storage techniques. These methods range from the restoration of diverse coastal ecosystems to interventions in marine chemistry and deep-sea carbon storage. It also addresses essential principles and guidelines that scientists believe should govern future decisions regarding ocean-based CDR.

“Should the current pace of global warming persist, a collapse of ecosystems and society is unavoidable. To achieve our climate goals, we must explore impactful and sometimes drastic measures. Ceasing avoidable emissions alone will not suffice. I hope the new World Ocean Review fosters a deeper understanding of the necessary actions and their potential consequences,” states Nikolaus Gelpke, initiator of the WOR project and Managing Director of maribus gGmbH. The World Ocean Review is published by maribus gGmbH in collaboration with the German Marine Research Consortium (KDM), the Kiel Future Ocean Network, and the International Ocean Institute.

Chapter 2: Evaluating CDR Measures

This video discusses the science, governance, and policies surrounding ocean carbon dioxide removal, emphasizing the need for safe and transparent implementation.

In this context, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bathmann, Chair of the KDM, notes, “WOR 8 outlines measures that are currently being implemented or should be evaluated in terms of their benefits and potential risks. The extensive involvement of German marine research institutions underscores the effectiveness of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing global challenges. WOR 8 offers a detailed snapshot of ongoing research in 2023 and identifies gaps in knowledge, enabling more actionable recommendations for policymakers.”

This video demystifies the concept of ocean carbon dioxide removal, providing insights into its potential and implications for climate action.

What strategies should we adopt to effectively combat climate change?

While preventing greenhouse gas emissions remains the top priority, it is evident that in the coming decades, significant quantities of carbon dioxide must also be removed from the atmosphere and securely stored. Can the ocean assist us in this endeavor?

Prof. Dr. Martin Visbeck, Co-Spokesperson of Future Ocean, remarks, “The issues tackled in WOR 8 will be of continued relevance for years to come. They are integral to international climate negotiations aimed at fulfilling the Paris Agreement and are part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which commenced in 2021. This initiative focuses on the relationship between ocean health and climate, alongside necessary societal transformation processes. Consequently, research in this area is forward-thinking, and the new edition of WOR serves as a critical catalyst for this scientific domain.”