Climate Change Impacts on the Ocean Threaten Human Well-Being and Sustainable Development

The ocean supports many ecosystem goods and services that benefit human communities and contribute substantially to our well-being. Building on its assessments on the changing physical, chemical and biological properties of the ocean, the IPCC Special Report for the Ocean and Cryosphere in the Changing Climate (SROCC) assesses new evidence on observed impacts and future risk of climate change on the provisioning, cultural, regulating and supporting services from the open ocean and deep sea to coastal ecosystems. It also assesses their implications for human well-being in terms of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development. Key findings of the assessment highlight human communities that are vulnerable to climate change impacts through the ocean, the key risks and opportunities for economic sectors, human health and food security, built infrastructure and properties, as well as on local and indigenous culture and knowledge. The Report also discusses issues on ‘adaptation’ (human and organisms’ adaptation, alike), illuminating various approaches recently tested (e.g., ecosystem restoration) to expedite natural adaptation under changing climate. These results contribute to an evaluation of the impacts of the changing ocean on the ability of society to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Assessments on climate change impacts on marine ecosystem services and their consequences on human well-being are just now emerging for much of the ocean, but are important steps towards examining potential strategies and pathways to mitigate and adapt to these impacts.