State of the Oceans — Log 7
YOUR WEEKLY BRIEFING FROM PARLEY
Photo by The Ocean Agency
CLIMATE CHANGE
In a stark report, the world’s leading climate scientists have warned we have only 12 years to act to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The IPCC says urgent and unprecedented changes are needed to reach the target, but that it’s affordable and feasible. Even a half-degree difference in planetary warming could prevent corals from being completely eradicated.
PLASTIC + OIL
Meanwhile, a separate report highlights the increasing interconnection between plastic and carbon emissions. Beyond posing a threat to marine ecosystems, a sharp increase in greenhouse gas emissions from the petrochemical industry — which includes plastic manufacturing — threatens to cancel out reductions in other sectors.
MARINE PLASTIC
Need another reminder of why we need to keep plastic out of the ocean? Two dishwashing soap bottles manufactured at least 47 years ago have washed up on UK beaches. The bottles are so old they feature Britain’s pre-decimal pricing system, and are marked with a “4d” discount.
SHIPPING
The European Parliament has adopted several critical amendments to a proposal to tackle pollution from ships, which contribute about 32% of marine plastic pollution in European waters. Among the measures are incentives not to dump waste at sea, and to haul in plastic caught in nets.
THE DEEP
A ‘lost world’ of underwater volcanoes has been discovered by Australian scientists. The previously unknown chain of volcanic seamounts lies off the coast of Tasmania and appears to be brimming with marine life, including a surprising number of whales.
DIET + LIFESTYLE
Huge reductions in meat-eating are essential to avoid dangerous climate change, according to the most comprehensive analysis yet of the food system’s impact on the environment. The report also highlights farming’s role in creating huge ‘dead zones’ in the world’s oceans.
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