Climate Change Fuels Global Coastal Erosion, UN Ocean Report Warns

Coastal erosion driven by climate change is now a global phenomenon, affecting every continent, according to the third edition of the World Ocean Assessment. This comprehensive UN-backed report, compiled by hundreds of international specialists, also warns of escalating plastic pollution and the potential for the Arctic Ocean to be completely free of ice by the middle of this century.

Professor Pablo Sánchez-Jerez from the University of Alicante expressed concern over ocean warming, emphasizing the ocean's critical role in regulating global climate patterns, precipitation, wind regimes, and CO2 absorption. He also highlighted the ocean's significance for global food security, noting that a substantial portion of the world's food supply originates from marine sources.

The assessment underscores the persistent challenges facing marine biodiversity, including climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, particularly from plastics, and overfishing. The study reveals that microplastics impact all marine ecosystems, with evidence of their effects on over 4,000 species. To combat this, the report advocates for reduced plastic production, material science innovation, and increased recycling and alternatives to single-use plastics.

Furthermore, the report anticipates a global increase in nuclear electricity generation to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, it cautions that this could lead to higher levels of radioactive discharge into the oceans. Sánchez-Jerez suggests prioritizing renewable energy sources as a viable alternative to nuclear power, noting that nuclear energy also contributes indirectly to CO2 emissions.

Sea levels continue to rise at an accelerating rate, increasing from less than 2 mm per year before 2015 to 4.3 mm per year in 2023. Tropical seas are warming and rising faster due to thermal expansion. The report also confirms the ongoing decline in Arctic sea ice extent and a recent reduction in the Southern Ocean's surface area. Projections indicate that by 2050, one-third of low-lying coastal areas could experience a coastline retreat exceeding 100 meters.