Page 59 - Livre_MOW2024_EN

SUPPORTING INNOVATION | 57

CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH
Ocean-based solutions

to abate climate change

The ocean, which covers 70% of the Earth’s surface,
is suffering from acidification, seawater warming and
oxygen loss, but could it also play a vital role in climate
change mitigation? Experts were invited to share
their views on the thorny subject of marine carbon
dioxide removal at an event held at Monaco Yacht
Club on 19 March 2024, hosted by OACIS, a Prince
Albert II of Monaco Foundation initiative. This half-day
meeting delved into the latest research on the subject.
The first panel explored the nature-based solution of
protecting and restoring blue carbon ecosystems,
while the second panel looked at ocean alkalinity
enhancement, an emerging technological solution
in which alkaline substances are added to seawater
to enhance its ability to absorb carbon. In the face
of concerns about the feasibility, transparency and
ethics of such approaches, experts from the worlds
of science, economics, conservation, politics and
business debated their potential advantages and
disadvantages.

Mangrove being restored in Xiamen (China)
© Jean-Pierre Gattuso (CNRS)

THE
CONTEXT
Ocean Acidification and other ocean Changes – Impacts
The ocean absorbs a quarter of all human-induced and Solutions (OACIS) is an association launched by the
CO (26 million tonnes a day). As CO dissolves in Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation in 2013. It helps
2
2
seawater it lowers the pH, increasing the acidity coordinate and support research to improve understanding
and decreasing the number of carbonate ions, the of the biological and environmental impacts of ocean
essential building blocks used by marine plants acidification and other climate stressors. It also fosters
and animals to construct their skeletons, shells and research into ocean-based solutions like alkalinity
other calcareous structures. There has been a 30% enhancement to inform policy-making. The scientific
rise in ocean acidity in the past 250 years and the community, including IPCC researchers, will directly benefit
phenomenon is continuing to grow. from the research supported by OACIS.