WE NEED OCEAN CLIMATE ACTION.
U.S. leaders must use every tool at their disposal to avoid catastrophic climate change, and the ocean is a powerful source of climate solutions. It can help if we act now.
THE OCEAN IS THE HEART OF OUR PLANET.
Covering 70% of our planet, the ocean provides half of all air we breathe, supplies the water we drink, and sustains all life on earth.
1 in 10
people on Earth depend on the ocean for food
2.3 MILLION
people are employed by the U.S. marine economy
$476 BILLION
contributed to U.S. GDP through the marine economy
BUT THE OCEAN IS AT A TIPPING POINT.
The ocean has absorbed 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions. If not for the ocean, the average global temperature on land would be
122°F.
Absorbing that heat and carbon has increased ocean temperature, acidity, and deoxygenation. Our fish, wildlife, ocean ecosystems, and coastal communities are facing devastating impacts.
We must preserve OCEAN CLIMATE ACTION.
Instead of rolling back progress, we need to leverage the ocean’s major potential as a source of climate solutions. Continued ocean protection can bolster coastal environments and communities by:
Slashing harmful emissions that are driving the climate crisis;
Leveraging the ocean’s natural ability to absorb carbon and restore and protect natural shoreline habitats; and
Improving the health of the ocean to help ocean environments and coastal communities adapt to the climate impacts we are already experiencing.
Analysis finds that full implementation of ocean-based climate solutions that are ready for action now could reduce the “emissions gap” by up to
on a 1.5°C pathway in 2050.
35%
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WHAT IS OCEAN CLIMATE ACTION?
Learn about ocean-based climate solutions.