EARTHCHAT: Why caring for our oceans is so important

Tuesday 23rd September on EarthChat, noon on Seymour FM or as a podcast

Oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface and they provide a vital regulator of global climate and weather through their currents that transfer heat from the Equator to the Poles and dictate rainfall and wind systems with vital impacts on food production, water supplies and habitation. They also directly supply food, fibres, recreation, transport and medicines, all of which bring societal benefits.

Coastal wetlands cover less than 1% of the earth’s surface yet they store 50% of seabed carbon – more than 2-4 times that of forests on a per area basis. They can help reduce climate change impacts by storing carbon from the atmosphere in “carbon sinks” This so called “Blue Carbon” is identified as a major contributor to efforts to reduce overall emissions and subsequent increases in global temperatures – the impacts of which are becoming more intense and more frequent. 

If Australia is to meet its recently promised targets of a 62-70 percent reduction below 2005 levels within the next 10 years then action must be accelerated and well placed. It seems that ocean conservation, litter reduction and water quality improvements are just some of the specific efforts to increase carbon storage potential on our extensive coastline. 

Luckily there are several excellent organisations such as the Port Phillip Eco-Centre, Tangaroa Blue and the Australian Marine Research Foundation who conduct important research and are partnering with communities and businesses to make significant improvements in local environments and the overall outlook for our oceans.   We will hear about a couple of those in this week's EarthChat. Listen in.

EarthChat on 103.9FM midday, Tuesday 23rd September. Here is Seymour FM's website. 

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