{"id":17338,"date":"2025-06-06T12:58:48","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T12:58:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalgreens.org\/?p=17338"},"modified":"2025-06-06T12:58:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T12:58:49","slug":"the-atlantic-ocean-a-climate-and-biodiversity-frontline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalgreens.org\/esp\/the-atlantic-ocean-a-climate-and-biodiversity-frontline\/","title":{"rendered":"The Atlantic Ocean: A Climate and Biodiversity Frontline"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Atlantic ocean \u2013 Earth\u2019s second largest ocean basin \u2013 covers roughly 20% of the Earth\u2019s surface, spanning 106 million square kilometers. It is one of the most ecologically important bodies of water, touching the shores of four continents: Africa, Europe, North America, and South America. It plays a critical role in regulating global climate patterns, acting as a vast heat conveyer through currents like the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), and supports some of the richest fisheries and most diverse marine ecosystems on Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to its ecological significance, the Atlantic underpins livelihoods across continents. It facilitates transatlantic shipping, sustains regional economies through fishing, tourism and offshore energy, and remains vital for global trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate Stressors: Warming, Sea Level Rise, and Acidification<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Climate change is increasingly impacting the Atlantic Ocean. The northeastern Atlantic has experienced consistent warming, with sea surface temperatures rising<\/strong> at a rate of 0.25\u202f\u00b1\u202f0.03\u202f\u00b0C per decade, <\/strong>surpassing the global average. Additionally, the ocean\u2019s absorption of excess atmospheric CO\u2082 is leading to increased acidification, affecting marine life and ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intensifying Hurricanes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Warmer Atlantic waters are fueling more intense tropical storms. Since the 1970s, the number of storms <\/a>escalating into category 4 or 5 hurricanes<\/a> has roughly doubled<\/strong> <\/strong><\/a>in the North Atlantic.This trend is attributed to higher sea surface temperatures, which provide more energy for tropical storm formation and intensification, leaving affected regions and communities with less time for preparation or evacuation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AMOC: Approaching a Tipping Point?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)\u2014a key ocean current that helps regulate global climate\u2014is weakening, and scientists overwhelmingly agree on that much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past few decades scientists have been tracking AMOC,<\/a> and findings show that it is slowing down, a change which would have devastating impacts on our climate. Scientists attribute the slowing down to global warming, particularly via melting ice sheets and the accompanying changes to the salt levels in the Atlantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the last few years, several new studies<\/a> have come out suggesting AMOC is on course for a tipping point. Most mainstream models, including those cited by the IPCC<\/a> y Met Office<\/a>, suggest a full breakdown before 2100 is unlikely, though not impossible. Meanwhile, newer studies using early warning indicators and nonlinear methods argue a collapse could occur as soon as mid-century, especially under continued ice melt and high emissions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the exact timeline is uncertain, one thing is clear: the potential consequences\u2014from abrupt cooling in Europe to disrupted monsoons in Africa and rising seas along North America\u2019s coast\u2014are too severe to ignore.<\/strong> Even amid disagreement, scientists globally assess that it has definitely weakened, and the risks demand our urgent attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The European Greens: Reforming Fisheries for Sustainability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The European Greens are calling for a fundamental reform of the EU\u2019s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which they argue has failed to prevent overfishing, protect marine biodiversity, or support coastal communities\u2014especially in the Atlantic. With most Atlantic and Mediterranean fish stocks overexploited and heavily subsidised EU fleets depleting resources at home and abroad, the Greens demand a shift toward ecological sustainability as the foundation for economic and social outcomes<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their proposals include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n