The Gray Area with Sean Illing The climate crisis is an oceans crisis
Nov 4, 2019
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a leading marine biologist and founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, dives into the deep connections between oceans and climate change. She discusses how oceans regulate global temperatures and their vital role in our survival. The conversation highlights the urgent consequences of climate change on vulnerable coastal communities and the moral imperative for action. Johnson also explores sustainable solutions, like marine farming, and emphasizes the need for collective efforts in climate activism to protect our oceans and future.
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A Budding Marine Biologist
- Ayana Elizabeth Johnson knew at five years old she wanted to be a marine biologist after seeing a coral reef.
- Her interest grew from a love for the ocean and its interconnectedness with various fields.
Beyond Fish
- Marine biology requires expertise beyond just fish.
- It involves understanding the socioeconomic and cultural contexts of marine ecosystems, along with policy and human interaction.
The Ocean's Burden
- Climate change is primarily an ocean story, as oceans absorb most of the excess heat and CO2.
- This absorption leads to ocean acidification, changing ocean chemistry and affecting marine life.
