Oceans Under Pressure: Experts Emphasize Role of COP31 in Marine Health

Ingrid Solberg | AA

With oceans facing warming, pollution, and biodiversity declines, scientists stress COP31, hosted in Türkiye this November, as a critical forum for advancing marine conservation and climate policy integration.

As oceans face mounting crises caused by warming temperatures, pollution, biodiversity loss, and acidification, scientists are urging global leaders to place marine conservation at the forefront of the upcoming COP31 summit in Türkiye. The country is set to host the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference from November 9-20 at the Antalya Expo Center. The summit will bring together policymakers, scientists, and representatives from approximately 200 nations to establish new climate commitments, with this year's agenda emphasizing ocean health.

World Oceans Day, an annual UN observance established in 2008, serves as a reminder of the critical challenges facing the world's oceans. Prof. Cem Gazioglu, director of Istanbul University’s Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, highlighted the alarming toll of climate change on marine ecosystems. He explained that while oceans have absorbed one-third of global carbon emissions and 90% of excess heat caused by human activities, their capacity to mitigate environmental stress is being compromised by thermal stress, oxygen depletion, acidification, plastic pollution, habitat loss, and plummeting biodiversity.

Gazioglu called for integrating climate policy with ocean governance, emphasizing that stronger financial mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund are essential to support marine conservation initiatives. He cited local examples of climate-related impacts on Turkish waters, including mucilage outbreaks in the Sea of Marmara, oxygen shortages in the Black Sea, and marine heat waves in the Mediterranean. These regional concerns underscore the global need for cohesive strategies that address climate and ocean issues together.

Ocean Protection Central to COP31 Goals

Echoing Gazioglu’s concerns, Prof. Baris Salihoglu, director of the Middle East Technical University’s Institute of Marine Sciences, urged stakeholders to view COP31 as both a climate summit and an 'Ocean COP.' Salihoglu stated, 'We should regard COP31 not only as a climate summit but also as a strong ‘Ocean COP’ because the most visible impacts of climate change are emerging in the seas.' He detailed how warming waters, acidification, and oxygen loss are degrading ecosystems, compounded by plastic pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction.

Salihoglu also stressed the urgent need to rethink human interactions with marine environments. 'Today, we need to talk not only about protecting the seas but also about redesigning the way we use them,' he added, advocating for comprehensive policies that address both conservation and sustainable utilization of ocean resources.

Türkiye’s Regional Role in Marine Conservation

Prof. Bayram Ozturk, president of the Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAF), highlighted the evolving dynamics of Türkiye's marine ecosystems. According to Ozturk, climate-driven changes are reshaping both the Mediterranean and Black Seas. 'The Mediterranean is becoming more tropical, while the Black Sea is becoming more Mediterranean,' he explained, referencing the rising number of species migrating from the Red Sea into the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. By 2021, over 1,000 species had been recorded, with roughly 700 becoming integrated into the Mediterranean's biodiversity.

Ozturk argued that Türkiye is well-positioned to lead regional efforts in marine conservation. Hosting COP31, along with the potential for Türkiye to organize a future UN Ocean Conference, offers opportunities to showcase its commitment to sustainable ocean management and protection. He emphasized that Türkiye's role in these global events could set a new benchmark for marine policy leadership in the Mediterranean region.

How COP31 Can Shape Urban Coastal Futures

As the world’s oceans reach their breaking point, the implications for cities and communities, especially those along coastlines, are far-reaching. Urban centers dependent on healthy marine ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, warming oceans, and declining fish stocks. By integrating marine health into the broader climate agenda, COP31 has the potential to drive policies that prioritize coastal sustainability and resilience. This could include investments in urban flood defenses, pollution control measures, and sustainable aquaculture.

Marine-focused discussions at COP31 could also provide a model for cities to incorporate ocean conservation into their climate strategies. Initiatives such as reducing single-use plastics and improving wastewater treatment could be scaled globally, benefiting both urban residents and maritime ecosystems. As coastal cities look to the Antalya-hosted summit for leadership, the event represents not just a critical moment for global climate policy but also a catalyst for tangible municipal action in safeguarding the planet’s oceans.

Questions That Matter

What is the focus of the COP31 summit in Türkiye?

The COP31 summit, to be held in Antalya from November 9-20, will gather leaders and experts from 200 nations to address climate change, with a central focus on integrating marine conservation into broader climate policies.

What pressures are oceans currently facing worldwide?

Oceans are confronting warming, acidification, oxygen depletion, and plastic pollution. They absorb one-third of carbon emissions and 90% of human-induced excess heat but are nearing their limits under these stresses.