by Stacey Kimmig, AIWC Cologne and UN Rep at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
One of the best parts of being a FAWCO rep at the UN Climate talks are the people I get to meet. I have had the honor to meet and collaborate with people from all walks of life, experts on many facets of the environmental issues we face. I meet people from developed and developing countries, from the global South and the global North, from major urban cities to small fishing villages. I am always struck by how our perspectives are shaped by our lived experiences. Increasingly, I am aware of the importance of really listening and trying to understand different viewpoints, and to question my own biases.
Usually at the COPs and interim meetings, I have followed gender issues and finance discussions. At the SB in June 2023, I decided to branch out and sit in on a few sessions on oceans. Oceans have come to the forefront of the climate discussions recently, as an untapped source of carbon absorption. In fact, the ocean and climate change dialogue was only added to the climate conference discussions in 2019 at COP25. I am by no means an expert on the topic, but wanted to share some impressions from the meetings I attended and provide some resources if you are interested in learning more.
Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth’s surface, and already absorb a significant amount of CO2, leading researchers to focus on trying to find ways to use the ocean for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). As the oceans are already the earth’s largest carbon sink, the hope is to find a way for the oceans to absorb even more CO2.
There are basically three types of CDR: biological, chemical, and electrochemical. Biological methods include seaweed cultivation or iron fertilization. Chemical methods include alkalinity enhancement, which involves adding minerals to the ocean to react with existing CO2, thereby “freeing up” more capacity for the ocean to absorb CO2. Electrochemical methods are similar to chemical methods but use electric currents run through seawater to enable carbon storage. While many of the CDR solutions seem like quick fixes to combatting increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, we need to remember that these ideas are in their infancy, and the overall effects have not been sufficiently tested. As this article explains, each CDR has potential risks and unintended consequences.
Understanding the ecosystem risks is critical before implementing these approaches at scale. It is important to remember that not only are these technologies untested, but the oceans themselves are still largely unknown to us, with over 80% of the oceans still unexplored. This increases our uncertainty as to the unforeseen effects of these technologies. The projected potential risks around CDR include changes to water movement patterns; changes to light, nutrient and oxygen availability; altered pH levels; impacts from man-made structures for growing; and impacts of monoculture cultivation, which can all impact existing marine life and ecosystems.
If we are to use any of these methods, it is imperative that a governing body is established to oversee, regulate and review the ongoing effects, both negative and positive. However, the inherent flaw in a governing body is “who gets to decide?” Local coastal communities often have very different views on an issue than other populations not as directly affected by the decisions made. And who will ensure that the rights of marine animals are considered? These are ethical questions which must be addressed and carefully considered.
Below are links to two of the meetings I attended in June 2023, which I felt presented a balanced view of the issues and obstacles needing to be addressed before implementing any new technologies. The speakers also stressed the importance of including other voices in the discussions, such as local coastal communities, fisheries and indigenous peoples. At one of the sessions below, Mariah Kelly from Southern Connecticut State University said that we need to “really think about how we practically and logically address these issues in a more holistic and systems informed way.” She raises an important point that working together is the only way to see the big picture and consider the interconnection and unforeseen interaction of different solutions implemented.
So, although researchers, companies and governments would like to push these technologies as easy solutions, we must proceed with caution. We all have knowledge gaps and different motivations and viewpoints. Including everyone at the table and respecting all ways of knowing will help us arrive at the best outcome for people and planet. This is true for all aspects of climate action.
There are, however, things we can do now for our oceans, like stop overfishing, stop polluting our waters with plastic waste, and rebuild our coastal defenses, such as mangrove forests and coral reefs. We can also protect our waters, just like we do on land, with nature preserves. We can support local organizations doing important work on the ground (or in the sea!). Local, grassroots efforts do make a difference. These are safe methods we can use now to improve the health of our oceans and the protection of our coasts.
Two more links:
Precautionary-Principles-for-Ocean-Carbon-Dioxide-Removal-Research.pdf (oceanconservancy.org)
#LIVE COP28 | Powering Ocean Breakthrough Through Sustainable Ocean Planning - 9 December 2023 (YouTube.com) – ocean session from COP28, starts around 30 minutes in.
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