Ocean Deoxygenation: Will Affect Millions Of People

Ocean deoxygenation refers to the loss of oxygen from the oceans due to climate change (Keeling et al. 2010). The new International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report “Ocean deoxygenation: everyone’s problem” estimates that the ocean as a whole is expected to lose 3–4% of its oxygen inventory by the year 2100. Oxygen loss in the oceans impacts species differently, depending on their oxygen dependencies. Nevertheless, it hurts our ocean food supply significantly.

Oceans are losing oxygen due to climate change, which will affect hundreds of millions of people, according to a new United Nations report. Scientists are calling this the “ultimate wake-up call” to humanity.

Scientists say rising sea temperature caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions is leading to oxygen-depleted zones to form on the sea bed. The report found that the loss of oxygen from the world’s ocean is increasingly threatening fish species such as tuna, marlin, and sharks.

Copernicus Marine Data And Adapting To Climate Change


The oceans are undergoing sweeping, severe, and unavoidable changes. Sea level rise, extreme weather events, and changing marine ecosystems are becoming a fact of life, particularly affecting coastal communities — making understanding and measuring the ocean an essential step towards ensuring our relationship with the ocean is sustainable and resilient. Accurate, global data like that provided by the Copernicus Marine Service will be increasingly vital if we are to make well-informed decisions as we adapt to Earth’s changing ocean and climate.