Asia needs urgent help to turn the tide on ocean heatwaves

Additionally, these vast bodies of water play a critical role in carbon storage, absorbing an estimated 30 per cent of human-made carbon dioxide emissions since the beginning of the industrial era.

A recent study revealed a significant increase in the destructive power of tropical cyclones across East and Southeast Asia between 1979 and 2016. Projections suggest a doubling of this destructive capacity in the Western North Pacific by the end of the century due to ocean heatwaves.

China added nearly 350 gigawatts of renewable capacity last year, surpassing half of the global total while Japan’s plan to phase out 100 inefficient coal plants by 2030 is a step in the right direction.

While emissions reduction is crucial, we must also focus on strengthening ecosystem resilience, which provides the best chance of survival for environments and their inhabitants in warmer seas.

Indonesia has taken a progressive approach, as evidenced by its Seagrass Blue Carbon Mitigation Action Profile, which pledges to preserve its seagrass meadows to support significant carbon emission reductions by 2030.

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Japan’s endangered seaweed shows potential as an eco-friendly supercrop

To mitigate the risks of marine heatwaves, accurate forecasting is paramount. Given the complex nature of marine ecosystems and the far-reaching impact of these events on natural habitats and human societies, comprehensive understanding is crucial.

To this end, further research in marine heatwave science is imperative. This research should collect data on temperature, currents, salinity, pH levels and biodiversity. Moreover, the effects of heatwaves on factors such as food availability, ocean currents, chemistry and penetration depth must be investigated to refine