State of the Oceans — Log 82
YOUR WEEKLY BRIEFING FROM PARLEY
This image by Rick Miskiv. Header Image by Giacomo Cosua
CLIMATE CHANGE
A group of scientists have published a new paper calling for the inclusion of oceans in global climate policy. The idea is that to really mitigate climate change, governments must adopt a ‘teal’ new deal that balances the potential of both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. From renewable energy to carbon storage, this paper shows the oceans’ immense potential to make the world safer and more resilient. Prominent politicians have also highlighted the oceans’ role in creating effective climate solutions.
Also this week, the Australian Industry Group – which represents over 60,000 businesses – is urging the country’s government to address climate change and COVID-19 together. As the group’s chief executive said, “There’s a lot that we can do to rebuild stronger and cleaner. COVID-19 and climate are bigger than any economic challenge we have faced.” This announcement comes one week after an International Energy Agency report predicted the end of fossil fuels and the beginning of a renewable revolution.
OCEAN WONDERS
Beaches in Southern California are re-opening just in time for locals to witness “otherworldly” displays of bioluminescence. Phytoplankton – the free-floating, photosynthetic algae that produce half of Earth’s oxygen – sometimes flash or ‘fluoresce’ to give off energy. Instead of sweating, algae glow, and every few years, bioluminescent algae light up the Californian coast. To some, this year’s spectacle seems extra vibrant – perhaps because bioluminescent waves offer the perfect way to get reacquainted with nature, or maybe because historic rains encouraged greater algal growth. “I’ve been surfing for 20 years now,” one man said, “And I’ve never seen anything like it.”
GLOBAL HEATING
Climate impacts are more imminent and severe than previously thought, as new research reveals over a third of the world’s population could live in extreme heat by 2070. Currently, around 25 million people live in Earth’s hottest places, mostly in the Sahara Desert. But as the world warms and its population grows, 3.5 billion people across the Middle East, India, Africa, and Australia could face average annual temperatures of 84ºF and up. In just fifty years, global heating could create an international health and refugee crisis. “The numbers are flabbergasting,” said one expert who was not involved in the study. “This puts the threat in very human terms.”
INNOVATION
Researchers from Wuhan University have created a jet engine that is powered only by air and electricity. By compressing and microwaving air, this prototype produces a plasma that may be capable of propelling airplanes. While the design is far from complete, it could one day make commercial air travel – which generates 2.5% of all greenhouse gas emissions – a zero-emissions industry. “Our results demonstrated that such a jet engine can be a potentially viable alternative to the conventional fossil fuel jet engine,” one author said. “Our motivation is to solve global problems owing to humans’ use of fossil fuel engines.”
MARINE LIFE
It’s estimated that a third of all viruses and bacteria live buried in sediment far below the Earth’s crust – but these microscopic beings are not as isolated as you might think. A new study suggests that ‘deep biosphere’ microbes are essential not only to life on the seafloor but to life everywhere. Hitching a ride on natural petroleum seeps, these microbes bubble up to the ocean floor where they diversify deep sea communities and impact carbon cycling – a key process that regulates Earth’s temperature. In the words of one author, our very existence depends on a “two-way” relationship between us and a “vast, subsurface realm.”
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