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Africa: Global Leaders Stress the Ocean’s Crucial Role in Climate Action

Mombasa, Kenya — As global temperatures continue to rise, experts are sounding the alarm over the oceans nearing a critical tipping point. The warming seas are drastically altering marine ecosystems and heightening climate risks for communities worldwide, leading to issues such as coral reef destruction, biodiversity loss, severe flooding, and food security threats.

Warmer oceans are increasingly producing marine heatwaves and disrupting the food chains that coastal communities depend on. Human-induced warming is accelerating at an alarming rate, with scientists cautioning that the 1.5°C threshold could be breached in just a few years, as greenhouse gas emissions remain at record highs. This 1.5-degree limit is a pivotal target of the 2015 Paris Agreement, aimed at safeguarding populations and mitigating severe climate impacts.

In 2025, the world recorded the highest heat content in oceans, highlighting the urgent need for action. The sea surface temperature is a key indicator of the planet’s excess heat, with oceans absorbing much of this additional warmth. This rising temperature is leading to more frequent coastal flooding, stronger storms, and jeopardizing marine ecosystems and coastal communities while altering global weather patterns.

The increase in water temperature is devastating coral reefs that are vital for fishing industries and act as buffers against storm surges and rising sea levels. A report from 2025 indicated that over 80% of warm-water coral reefs are exhibiting signs of stress, including heat exposure, bleaching, and mortality.

The scientific consensus is clear: the warming oceans are straining the planet. Climate change threatens global stability and the livelihoods of billions through disruptions in food systems, forced migrations, violence, and disease. Without a concerted global effort to reduce emissions, the climate crisis will only intensify.

This pressing issue dominated discussions at the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) in Mombasa, where governmental delegates, researchers, and conservationists explored climate finance and the conservation of blue carbon habitats as vital solutions for vulnerable coastal nations adapting to climate change.

Valerie Hickey, Director for Environment at the World Bank, emphasized the growing recognition of the ocean as both a climate solution and a burgeoning economic frontier. She noted that seagrasses, mangroves, and salt marshes, despite covering less than 2% of the ocean floor, can absorb carbon at rates up to ten times faster than tropical forests. The ocean’s “carbon pump” is also critical, moving around 10 gigatons of carbon into the deep sea annually.

Hickey highlighted three key reasons to celebrate the progress in ocean action: the rising political visibility of ocean issues on global climate agendas, the growing acceptance of nature as essential climate infrastructure, and the rapid growth in ocean-related investments. She pointed out that the World Bank Group has nearly doubled its investments from less than $6 billion to over $11 billion in the last five years, with significant commitments from private investors as well.

Dr. Marinez Scherer, COP30 Ocean Envoy for Brazil, echoed Hickey’s sentiments, stating that the ocean’s importance to climate action has gained substantial recognition. She urged for effective ocean governance that acknowledges the interconnectedness of marine systems across political boundaries, calling for integrated solutions that benefit both adaptation and mitigation efforts.

Dr. David Obura, Founder of CORDIO East Africa, underscored the significance of coastal ecosystems for climate resilience and sustainable development. He warned that climate change is pushing marine ecosystems toward critical tipping points, with nearly half of coral species currently at risk of extinction.

Dr. Wilber Ottichillo, Governor of Vihiga County, cautioned about the dual threats of climate change and pollution affecting marine ecosystems. He outlined Kenya’s comprehensive policies aimed at protecting marine life and strengthening climate resilience, emphasizing the need for international cooperation.

Astrid Bergmål, Norway’s State Secretary for European and Arctic Affairs, advocated for coordinated responses to tackle the interconnected crises of ocean health, climate change, and biodiversity loss. She detailed Norway’s ambitious climate strategies, including offshore wind expansion and carbon capture initiatives.

Angelique Poupouneau, Lead Ocean Negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), noted a significant shift in the ocean’s role within climate negotiations, urging for comprehensive ocean protection and climate finance to address the root causes of ocean degradation.

Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, called for decisive action based on existing scientific knowledge, stressing that urgent measures are necessary at the national level to mitigate climate impacts on oceans.

Turkish envoy Fatih Turan concluded by asserting that oceans are now central to global climate agendas, emphasizing their protection as essential for achieving long-term climate goals. As COP31 approaches, Turan highlighted the need for actionable commitments that extend beyond negotiations.

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, the call for a unified approach to ocean protection and climate action has never been more urgent.

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Source Africa News.