A delegation from Dalhousie-hosted research centre the (OFI) will attend COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt from November 7 to 16. Led by Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director , OFI will participate in a range events and meetings with world leaders in science, policy, and philanthropy.
鈥淥ur message at COP27 is clear: the ocean buffers climate change,鈥� says Dr. Waite. 鈥淚t represents the largest carbon storage depot on Earth, and its critical carbon absorbing function is changing in ways that may impact climate forecasts.鈥�
She notes that without accurate forecasts, it is impossible to set effective climate policies and that the cost of incorrect policy could be devastating to our communities, the economy, and our planet.
Deep blue carbon: a gap
While many countries already undertake ocean observation efforts, most efforts are focused on coastal ecosystems.
"Critically, more than 95 per cent of carbon is stored in the high seas beyond national boundaries, which we now call deep blue carbon,鈥� says Dr. Waite. 鈥淏ut nations only have a mandate to act on land and adjacent coasts.鈥�
It is a gap, according to Waite, that can only be bridged by an integrated observing system that is co-designed by a consortium of nations.
Intergovernmental agencies are elevating this issue at COP27, including the World Meteorological Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, which hosts the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) co-chaired by Dr. Waite. The UNFCCC is bringing a consolidated message to Earth Information Day on November 9 on the need for coordinated global observation. GOOS is also set to highlight the notion of an ocean observation exemplar through their events, as part of their UN Ocean Decade program .
North Atlantic exemplar
Dr. Waite says that to launch an integrated observing system, an initial framework is urgently needed 鈥� enabling nations to join forces on the measurement, management and reporting of deep blue carbon. Such a collaboration would enable better climate forecasts and inform global climate policy and strategy.
As an important first step, pilipili漫画 is pursuing funding from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) with partner universities Universit茅 du Qu茅bec 脿 Rimouski, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Universit茅 Laval. With substantial support from the federal government the universities propose an ambitious research program to improve global understanding of the ocean's essential role in climate, how the ocean might help mitigate climate change, and how we should react and adapt to a changing climate, especially in coastal communities.
Recommended reading:听Transforming climate action 鈥� Dalhousie pushes to position ocean at centre of global climate conversation
Following from this, a proposed could serve as an exemplar, suggests Dr. Waite.
The North Atlantic acts as one of the world鈥檚 most intense ocean carbon sinks, particularly the sub-polar gyre off Newfoundland and Labrador (the Labrador Sea), and the subtropical gyre southeast of Nova Scotia. The region is also particularly vulnerable to climate change, being downstream from the Arctic and Greenland ice caps, and extremely sensitive to the strength and location of the Gulf Stream.
At COP27, Dr. Waite will call on nations to commit resources to ocean observation, and to collaborate.
鈥淭oo often, ocean research is curtailed by sporadic and inconsistent funding,鈥� says Waite. 鈥淟ong-term commitments are crucial, in which nations co-design and co-govern a new observing system 鈥� much like international telescopes, or the international space station.鈥�
OFI鈥檚 participation at COP27
To seek action, Waite will participate in many side events and meetings at COP27 and OFI will host an event on November 8 at the Canada Pavilion, titled .
This event will feature four speakers:
- Dr. Anya Waite
Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director, Ocean Frontier Institute - The Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador - Dr. Toste Tanhua
Co-Chair, Global Ocean Observing System - Dr. Anthony Rea
Director of Infrastructure, World Meteorological Organization
Updates will be shared during the conference through OFI鈥檚 , , and .
OFI will also participate in the following events, with Dr. Waite serving as a keynote speaker, moderator, and panelist.
Event |
Description |
Date/Time |
Location |
Organizer |
Investing in ocean observation to meet climate targets: the importance of deep blue carbon |
Keynote addresses followed by a panel discussion on the need to measure, manage and report on carbon to enable improved climate forecasts to inform global climate policy and strategy. |
8 November |
Canada Pavilion |
Ocean Frontier Institute |
Earth Information Day |
Three panel discussions focused on challenges, solutions and ways forward for Earth Observations to support the Paris Agreement and integrated planning and management of adaptation, early warning systems and mitigation, as well as reporting for adaptation and mitigation. |
9 November |
Plenary 1 |
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change |
Ocean observations for climate change: from local observations to a global system 听 |
Keynote addresses and a roundtable discussion focused on our vision to build the global ocean observing system to mitigate and adapt to climate change.听 |
10 November |
Ocean Pavilion听 |
Global Ocean 听Observing System
|
The interplay of machine learning and earth sciences in assessing coral reefs and other marine habitats |
A panel discussion on the impact of climate change on coastal coral reefs and other marine habitats, covering extended topics on the ecology, physiology, and biodiversity of coral reefs. The session will also address the need for a better understanding of the situations of coral reefs and marine habitats under climate change, which is an essential outcome for stakeholders and decision-makers in implementing effective plans for climate adaptation. |
10 November |
Thematic Room P20 |
Egyptian Space Agency |
Blue carbon: the ocean's role in fighting climate change |
A panel discussion on how ocean research will help us to continue to understand and harness the ocean鈥檚 unique contribution. |
11 November |
Ocean Pavilion |
National Oceanography Centre |
The Changing Climate on the Mediterranean Basin 听 |
A panel discussion on how decision support systems and data portal are needed to address coastal areas such as the city of Alexandria, facing the risk of sea level rise as well as the expected development of tropical like aggressive events that can bring massive amount of unexpected rain and local SLR over a brief period. |
14 November |
Mediterranean Pavilion |
Egyptian Space Agency |
Ocean-based climate restoration, and the related technology and innovation solutions to address the ocean-climate crisis |
A panel discussion on next steps for creating supportive, equitable, and collaborative policy frameworks to advance ocean-based climate solutions at scale. The event will be streamed by the Climate Education Hub and the Virtual CDR Pavillion. |
15 November |
Climate Education Pavilion |
Ocean Visions |
听