The Oceans cover 71% of the earth, and are vital for life on earth. Every second breath we take is air cleaned by the oceans. Oceans are also important global “coolers.” Sida and Stockholm Resilience Centre gathered some of the world authorities on oceans, coastal areas and climate change in a meeting at Sida on 12 October 2010, to try to address these issues.
Johan Schaar, acting Head of Policy opened the meeting:
“Around three billion people in the world live less than 200 km from the coast and this number will increase. Oceans are a global public good in deep trouble; it has no voice as changes in the ocean are not as visible to humans as changes on land. We are quite well aware of problems such as the depletion of fish stock. The technology used for catching fish always seems to be ahead of decisions on good governance to preserve the global fish stock. Depletion of fish is a major issue for poor coastal communities. But now we also begin to understand how climate change leads to new and challenging problems. We have now science and will hear from experts gathered here today to learn and discuss the necessary steps forward.”
Humanity is putting a quadruple squeeze on the planet
Johan Rockström talked about the quadruple squeeze humanity is putting on the planet through overpopulation, climate change, ecosystem loss and the problem of surprises — tipping points in the systems.
“Over the past 50 years human kind has eroded the planet’s resources and capacity for resilience. A bit after World War II the emissions of CO2 exploded, and have continued to do so. Up until now, the oceans have absorbed 25% of the CO2 emissions, and are increasingly functioning as carbon sinks. But the oceans’ capacity to absorb carbon is limited. The planet behaves as our best friend, trying to protect us from all the toxics we expose it to, but we can’t count on that in the future. The planet doesn’t have the resilience to suffer the quadruple squeeze” said Johan Rockström
Have the oceans already reached a tipping point and are there other marine and coastal thresholds that we are approaching with effects on coastal social-ecological systems and livelihoods? People in low income countries and small island states are already suffering from the effects of extreme temperatures on the coastal ecosystems and increasing sea levels, and recent findings with respect to ocean acidification indicates that this process has gone far beyond what scientists have envisioned to date. The planet is at a stage where big environmental changes in one part of the world immediately affect other parts of the world. If the Amazon rain forest would be cut down, northern Africa would cool down very quickly, while the temperature in central Asia would increase significantly. The world we live in is an interconnected world.
“I am worried because of the very small general understanding that these systems interact in real time, and of the dire state we are in now” said Johan Rockström. “A general understanding of these issues is vital for the planet’s survival”.
Ecosystem restoration and human rights urgently needed
What are the options for transformation to improved conditions for coastal people, specifically those depending on marine resources for their daily survival? Necessary steps to mitigate impacts and strategies for adaptation include ecosystem restoration (mangroves, corals, sea grasses), reduce dependency of aquaculture based on wild fish feed, promotion of livelihood diversification, investments in disaster preparedness response systems, the strengthening of human rights, especially the rights of women who have potentially a big role in changing the future.
“We must start looking at development as a human right, rather than charity” said Chandrika Sharma of the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) India . “We must realize that what happens to the oceans is a problem for us all, and the risks facing poor people in coastal areas are not just their problems, but ours too”.
How sensitive you are to climate change depends on how much you depend on natural resources
When trying to bring about change in societies that are vulnerable to climate change, the starting point must be the dependency on ecological resources.
“Ecological vulnerability, resource dependency, potential impact, adaptive capacity and social sensitivity are all variables when trying to formulate adaptation strategies”, said Nadine Marshall, a senior social scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) , Australia. “Change is necessary, but if you live in a coastal area and have a strong identity as, for instance, a fisherman, likely you don’t have a great interest in change.”
Studies show that people in general are not prone to change, regardless of which type of society they live in. The potential to change builds on the size of the risk and uncertainty, on a society’s and individuals’capacity to plan and reorganize, people’s emotional and financial flexibility and also on the interest in change.
“In order to help people who live in high-risk coastal areas adapt, we can help them identify and support diverse and acceptable livelihood options. Supporting the development of strategic skill sets, encouraging experimentation by offering financial incentives and encourage learning by facilitating networks are other ways to help bring about change” said Nadine Marshall
Deep social change is possible
“I am optimistic” said Dr. Edward Allison of WorldFish, Malaysia. “Technology will solve some of the problems we are facing, but mainly we need to look at deep social change. Humanity has overcome problems that seemed insurmountable at a certain time. Like apartheid. We need to look into history, at what seemed like intractable problems, and what was required to make the change then?”
Maria Berlekom, acting head of the Policy Department for Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Services at Sida concluded the meeting:
“We are all involved, and we must act fast. Organizations, private sector companies, universities and politicians all have important roles to play in meeting these challenges. We need research, innovations, development cooperation and green investments, as well as raising awareness and influencing decision-makers at all levels, globally.”
