This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

Hotter Seas, Higher Tensions

Aug 21, 2024

Madeleine Cuff, an environment reporter for New Scientist, and Emma Beals, a contributor on critical security issues, dive into the alarming rise in ocean temperatures and their far-reaching implications. They discuss how warmer seas threaten military operations, possibly creating new conflict zones and destabilizing fragile states. The duo also highlights the role of climate change as a 'threat multiplier' and the urgent need for international cooperation to tackle these emerging security challenges. It's a wake-up call for global awareness!

48:03

Episode guests

Madeleine Cuff

Emma Beals

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The alarming rise in ocean temperatures since March 2023 poses serious threats to military operations and global stability due to altered sonar and increased geopolitical tensions.

Individuals can significantly impact the climate crisis by making informed choices in voting, supporting eco-friendly businesses, and advocating for urgent governmental action.

Deep dives

Rising Ocean Temperatures and Climate Impact

Ocean temperatures have surged significantly since March 2023, breaking previous records and raising alarms among scientists. This rapid increase is attributed to both climate change and the transition from La Niña to El Niño weather patterns, which has allowed pent-up heat to be released into the oceans. The consequences of this warming are far-reaching, affecting ecosystems, weather patterns, and human activities. Notably, intense turbulence has been reported in commercial flights, causing injuries and disruptions, highlighting how climate change is rapidly becoming a part of everyday life.

Intro

5min

Rising Tides: The Crisis of Ocean Temperatures

7min

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: Impacts of Climate Change

4min

The Ocean's Vital Role in Climate Stability

3min

Climate Change and Global Security

23min

Empowering Individual Action Against Climate Change

2min

Climate change doesn’t just mean dire consequences for food, water, human migration and long-term human survival. As the seas heat up they create critical security issues, from impacts on military sonar to spikes in turbulence threatening commercial flights, from new theatres of war to suddenly fragile states and strengthened terrorist groups. Are we ignoring a new source of global instability?

Emma Beals talks to New Scientist’s environment reporter Madeleine Cuff about why the oceans are warming and where – and asks Pentagon advisor, strategist and Polar Institute fellow Sherri Goodman about why hotter, more dangerous seas are a “threat multiplier”.

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Written and presented by Emma Beals. Audio production by Robin Leeburn and Tom Taylor. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production

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