Climate change is impacting our oceans by melting the poles, changing major ocean current systems, warming waters, raising sea levels, and making the ocean more acidic. Those changes are serious threats to marine life and the natural resources that millions of people worldwide depend on.
CI is working with communities, governments, and partner organizations around the world, including:
Coral Triangle Initiative, Asia
The Philippines. Indonesia. Papua New Guinea. Malaysia. Timor Leste, The Solomon Islands. Parts of all of these places – each with a stunning array of human, animal, plant, and geophysical diversity of great importance – are part of the Coral Triangle. Conservation International (CI) is working with governments and a host of partners to save them all.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Off the coast of western Papua in the region of Raja Ampat, CI researchers have found generally healthy coral populations that appear resistant to bleaching and other problems caused by warmer ocean temperatures stemming from climate change. Led by CI's Mark Erdmann, we’re learning what causes this phenomenon and how we can help other coral populations adapt in similar ways.
IN-DEPTH: The Expedition to Irian Jaya, Indonesia
THE BLUE AUCTION: Two Surveys Discover Teaming Biodiversity
Seaflower Reserve, Colombia
In the largest marine protected area in the Caribbean, CI is administering funds to Colombian government agencies to integrate adaptation strategies into their management of the area. To better help marine plants and animals adapt to climate change, they’re establishing priority no-entry and no-take zones, helping communities enforce the rules, developing management plans for low-lying and remote cays, monitoring beaches, and assessing key ecosystems and resources. The effort demonstrates the simple ways communities dependent on marine resources can adapt to the anticipated impacts of climate change.
EXPLORE: The Eastern Tropical Pacific Seascape
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
CI researchers have studied the impacts of El Niño and climate change in the marine habitats of the Galapagos Islands. The Global Marine Species Assessment, a joint project of Conservation International and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), recently found that coral and algae species in the Galapagos are highly endangered due to a combination of climate change and over-fishing.
Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape, Asia
In Southeast Asia’s Sulu and Sulawesi Seas, CI and partners are raising money to research a large marine region that spans three countries. Specifically, research will focus on how climate change will affect sea turtles. We’ll study how rising seas will impact sea turtle nests, what warmer sand temperatures will mean for hatchlings, and whether changes in water currents will affect turtle migrations.
IN THE WATER: The Sea Turtle Flagship Program
Madagascar
CI is helping conduct a widespread assessment of Madagascar to determine how vulnerable the country’s land and water truly are in the face of climate change. The results of the assessment, slated for release in June 2008, will inform future conservation initiatives.
EXPLORE: Madagascar's Northeast Coast