Impact of Climate Change on Oceans

The ocean has a natural ability to regulate and balance the atmosphere in terms of temperature and CO ₂ production. However, climate change is recognised as changing the physical and chemical oceanic processes that maintain the equilibrium of the oceans. Rising ocean temperatures and thermal expansion are recognised as the main causes of rising sea-levels, melting ice caps, alterations in upwelling and down-welling and erratic weather patterns.

Dramatic changes in the ocean’s ecosystems such as the coral reefs have been recorded in recent years.   As water temperature increases significantly, corals expel the algae living in their tissues and thereby causing the coral to turn completely white; a process known as coral bleaching.

The regularity and strength of storms attributed to climate change also contribute to the destruction of coral reefs and their ability to recover. The declining quality of these reefs has a devastating effect on coastal dwellers as the coral reefs provide a rich source of food and resources.