UEA researcher calls for 'weather forecasting' of seas and oceans
It follows research which says there's a 'blind spot' over whether these bodies of water can keep taking greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere
Researchers from a local Uni are calling for a weather forecasting for seas and oceans to be brought in.
Following work warning that it's unclear how these bodies of water will continue to absorb and store carbon, in the atmosphere.
Latest research has found that the ocean is currently storing around 25 per cent of global CO₂ emissions.
The Integrated Ocean Carbon Research Report has found that scientific models differ widely in estimating how much carbon the ocean absorbs, with discrepancies of 10-20 per cent globally and even greater in certain regions.
This work argues that if ocean absorbs less carbon in the future, more CO₂ will remain in the atmosphere and accelerate global warming. It goes on to say this would have a direct impact on future emissions targets and national climate plans.
The report, which was co-chaired by Prof Carol Robinson of UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences, also lays out a roadmap to bolster international cooperation, strengthen ocean carbon monitoring and update climate models accordingly.
"We need better measurements"
“The ocean has been our greatest climate ally, but we still do not fully understand how much longer it can keep absorbing carbon at today’s rates,” said Prof Robinson.
“This work aims to close those knowledge gaps, and support stronger climate action and understanding of how the ocean carbon sink will evolve in the decades to come.”
Professor Robinson went on to tell us what these discrepancies could mean for all of us:
"It means the difference between whether the carbon dioxide is taken up by the ocean or whether it stays in the atmosphere and then causes more warming and changes in our weather patterns.
"So we have a weather forecast on the television every evening, which tells us what to expect tomorrow.
"That's dependent on lots of different measurements from around the world. So we need better measurements that takes into consideration satellite information, for example.