The Ocean Can Play a Bigger Role in Fighting Climate Change than Previously Thought

Sep 29, 2023

Key ocean-based climate solutions include scaling ocean-based renewable energy, reducing emissions from ocean-based transport, conserving and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems. Image: Pexels/Rodrigo Pederzini

Katie Wood

Communications Officer, Ocean Program, World Resource Institute

Oliver Ashford

Program Associate, Ocean Program, World Resource Institute

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Ocean-based climate solutions can deliver up to 35% of the annual greenhouse gas emission cuts needed in 2050 to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F).

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What's the World Economic Forum doing about the ocean?

Wind turbines are assembled in Stord, Norway for delivery to a floating wind park. Increased use of offshore renewable energy is one of the most impactful ways to leverage the ocean for climate change mitigation at a global scale. Image: teaa1946/iStock

mangrove Indonesia coastal ecosystems salt marshes seagrass meadows carbon removal

Students plant mangrove seedlings in Situbondo, Indonesia. Protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems like mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass meadows can increase carbon removal and storage while helping protect nearby communities from climate impacts. Image: Sam maulidna/Shutterstock

Farmers tend to a large seaweed farm in Jangheung-gun, South Korea. Ocean-based foods such as seaweed and fish are often less resource-intensive and more sustainable than land-based protein options like meat. Image: Stock for you/Shutterstock

A large cruise ship sails off the coast of Portugal with dark fumes emitting from its smokestack. Cruise ship pollution is harmful not only to the climate but also to human health and marine ecosystems. Image: Amra Pasic/Shutterstock

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