Published on: 2026-10-28
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
October 28, 2026 Climate and Environment
Monitoring systems help track how the ocean absorbs and stores carbon. Mangrove forests and seagrass meadows hold carbon dioxide and protect coastlines. Scientists are also studying ways to remove carbon from the atmosphere using marine technologies. But none of these solutions will replace emission reductions.
This is stated in a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The authors emphasize that the ocean remains the most important ally in the fight against climate change, but its ability to regulate the climate is weakening.
The ocean absorbs about 30 percent of carbon dioxide emissions related to human activities and roughly 90 percent of excess heat. However, climate change affects its temperature, chemical composition, currents, and ecosystems. According to the report’s estimate, the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon has already decreased by approximately 6 percent.
To understand what is happening, observations, sensors, data collection systems, and computer models are needed. They help scientists monitor the movement of carbon in the ocean and assess how its ability to absorb it is changing. But there is still a lack of data, particularly about the Southern and Indian Oceans, the Arctic, and many coastal areas.
“What we do not know, we cannot regulate or protect,” Sarah Trerup, one of the report’s authors, told the UN News Service.
The second direction is the restoration of so-called “blue” carbon ecosystems: mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and coastal wetlands. They absorb about 407 million tons of carbon dioxide per year. Their restoration can increase this contribution, preserve biodiversity, and help coastal communities better cope with the impacts of climate change.
The third direction is technologies for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it through marine processes. Their potential is yet to be studied. Questions remain about their impact on nature and people. Therefore, the report calls for conducting research, continuously monitoring results, and assessing potential harm.
It is especially important to consider the interests of small island developing states and coastal countries: they are more vulnerable to climate risks than others, despite having contributed the least to global emissions. They need funding, technology, data, and training to implement climate solutions. The knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities, who have long protected coastlines and managed coastal resources, can help in developing such solutions.
As Treurup emphasized, technologies can help better understand the ocean and protect it, but they cannot replace rapid and sustainable reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Please note; This information is raw content received directly from the information source. It represents an accurate account of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.