Current climate targets do not account for significant changes that may take place in the ocean 鈥� the Earth鈥檚 largest and most important carbon sink. There is increasing evidence that the ocean鈥檚 ability to filter carbon from the atmosphere could diminish drastically. It may already be happening.
To help tackle this urgent issue, researchers from across Dalhousie, in collaboration with three partner universities, have designed an ambitious research program to improve global understanding of the ocean's essential role in climate, how the ocean might help mitigate climate change, and how we should react and adapt to a changing climate, especially in coastal communities.
Anya Waite, Dalhousie鈥檚 associate vice president research (ocean), is leading this group in an application for $155 million from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) to support this transformative program. Dal鈥檚 partner institutions include Universit茅 du Qu茅bec 脿 Rimouski, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Universit茅 Laval.
A new call for climate action
To generate awareness of the urgent need for this ocean-climate research, 黑料吃瓜网has launched the website with profiles featuring world-leading researchers who would contribute to the program. Over the coming months, an associated information campaign will deliver people to the site to learn more about how 黑料吃瓜网and its partner institutions can address the changing ocean and its impact on climate with support from the CFREF.
鈥淕lobal climate models predict a gentle decline in the absorption of carbon by the ocean,鈥� says Dr. Waite, who is also the scientific director and CEO of Dalhousie鈥檚 . 鈥淗owever, they don鈥檛 have good grip on rare events, such as the collapse of the Antarctic ice sheet, the slowing of the Gulf Stream, or a massive Arctic melt. If those things happen in concert, suddenly we have extreme events, that could completely change ocean carbon absorption.鈥�
The Dal-led research effort also aims to develop climate change mitigation solutions, enhancing Dalhousie鈥檚 position as a global leader in the science behind ocean-based carbon dioxide removal. And, with the scientific community鈥檚 growing agreement that a changing ocean and climate are forthcoming realities rather than an avoidable future, the research team will focus on creating equitable and just adaptation policies to guide humanity through the coming storm.
Supporting the cause
鈥淥ur Transforming Climate Action information campaign will showcase how 黑料吃瓜网and our partners are uniquely positioned to mobilize scientific and economic action, moving Canada into a global leadership position in this important area,鈥� says Alice Aiken, Dalhousie鈥檚 vice president research and innovation.
鈥淲e hope the Dal community will be inspired to share the stories of the research team and help build support for the vital science and policy research they will pursue in the CFREF application. It鈥檚 not an exaggeration to say that this program has the potential to help avert the world from a worse climate crisis.鈥�
Dalhousie鈥檚 application to the Government of Canada鈥檚 CFREF competition was submitted on August 31, 2022. Intended to help Canadian postsecondary institutions transform key strengths into world-leading capabilities, CFREF funding will give 黑料吃瓜网and its partners the resources to develop a global centre for this key area of research.
A final decision on the success of the application is expected in winter 2023.
Recommended reading:听Canada Foundation for Innovation听invests $38.5M in Dal鈥憀ed Ocean Tracking Network