While oceans are considered among mankind's best allies in the fight against climate change, they are themselves heavily impacted by the same. Discuss.

• Best allies
  • 1. Absorb CO2 emission → around 80%.
  • 1. Carbon sequestration → act as a carbon sink → prevent release into atmos.
  • 1. Cooling effect → counter global warming.
  • 1. Biodiversity preservation amid mass extinction.

Heavily impacted by climate change -

1. Ocean acidification due to excess carbonation as they absorb CO2
2. Loss of biodiversity

• a) Corals bleaching + difficulty to carbonaceous shell formation as ocean become acidic.
• b) Marine fisheries decline as they are sensitive to temp.

1. Ocean seas surface temp. rising → IPCC record 0.7°C - 2°C rise in last decade.

2. Marine heatwaves → frequent as global warming accentuate

3. ENSO, other weather abnormalities become intense & common (eg) 2024 ENSO cycle

4. Sea level rise → islands drowning & glaciers melting → positive feedback loop creation

Ways to tackle: → a) Limit warming under 2°C → Under 2 alliance → b) Net zero → (eg) India by 2070 → c) Marine protection zones (eg) marine National parks → d) Climate engineering activities