Oceans of Learning resources provided by the Marine Institute explore the inextricable link between our ocean and our climate.
71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans that are the support system of our planet. They produce half of the oxygen we breath, are responsible for heat distribution across the globe, the water cycle and our weather.
97% of the Earth’s water is in the ocean and it absorbs 30% of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by human activity and is the Earth’s natural climate moderator.
Here in Ireland, our climate is regulated by the Gulf Stream which protects us from climatic extremes but leaves us exposed to climate change impacts such as sea level rise, ocean acidification, extreme weather events and climate-driven changes in our marine ecosystems.
Patricia Orme, joint acting CEO of the Marine Institute states “Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our world today and forecasting ocean and climate change are important activities that support the scientific advice to many government policies and research initiatives.”
In the third episode of the Oceans of Learning podcast, presenter Finn van der Aar is joined by Samantha Hallam, ocean and climate scientist at Maynooth University; Dr Ken Whelan, research director with the Atlantic Salmon Trust; and Dr Triona McGrath, research lead at An Fóram Uisce, The Water Forum, to shed some light on the past, present and future of climate change and the effects on our oceans.
Oceans of Learning – Video Podcast – Episode 3 – YouTube
To view the suite of resources available for Oceans of Learning this week, visit Our Ocean: Our Climate at the Marine Institute website. The Oceans of Learning podcast is available to download from Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
