environment
‘Severe’ stress on oceans as rate of sea level rise doubles in 10 years, UN warns
Global effort needed to limit effects of pollution, industrial fishing and climate crisis, World Ocean Assessment says
TL;DR
- Oceans are under severe and accelerating pressure from human activities like pollution and industrial fishing.
- The rate of sea-level rise has doubled, from 2mm/year before 2015 to 4.3mm/year in 2023.
- 16% of the increase in global ocean heat since 1955 occurred after 2018.
- Deep-sea ecosystems remain poorly understood, with only 27% of the ocean floor mapped by 2025.
- Urgent global collaboration is needed to protect marine ecosystems and build a new relationship with the ocean based on science and international law.
- Progress in ocean protection treaties has been made, but governance remains fragmented, requiring strengthened coordination.
- The ocean absorbs 90% of excess heat and 30% of CO2 from fossil fuels, but currents are changing, with poorly understood impacts.
- An estimated 52.1 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually, contributing to trillions of microplastic particles.
- Greenpeace urges governments to create fully protected ocean sanctuaries and meet the goal of protecting 30% of the world's ocean by 2030.