Information: New report by IUCN: Oceans running out of oxygen

Author: BalticSea2020
Year published: 2019

In a new report, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes that the world's ocean levels are declining at a furious pace. The report was launched last Saturday in conjunction with the ongoing Climate Change Conference COP 25 in Madrid, with the aim to put the oceans on the agenda.

Since the middle of the 20th century, oxygen levels have dropped by between 1-2%. IUCN estimates that the world’s oceans are expected to lose 3-4% of their oxygen by the year 2100. Climate change and nutrient pollution are driving the oxygen from our oceans, and threatening many species of fish and ecosystems, and contributes to anoxic bottoms. This problem is global and affects all coastal areas in the world, including the Baltic Sea.

Ms. Isabella Lövin, Minister for Environment and Climate, and Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden, writes in the preface of the report: “Our ocean has not been getting the attention it deserves. The ocean generates more than half the oxygen we breathe.” She adds: “With this report its time to put ocean deoxygenation among our top priorities to address climate change”. It is not too late. It is still possible to turn the negative situation in the oceans, in a positive direction.

Read the full report on the IUCN website here.
Read more about the report on Havet.nu and Natursidan.se (in Swedish).

Our focus areas

fisheryThe stock of predatory fish is crucial for the state of the Baltic Sea. Therefore, the Foundation worked to ensure that the environmental effects of fishing should be a central part of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. The Foundation also worked on projects to increase the proportion of predatory fish, such as cod, pike and perch. Read more

eutroEutrophication is caused by emissions of nutrients that come from e.g. agriculture, water treatment plants, sewage and transportation. To find measures that could reduce emissions the Foundation worked on projects in agriculture, industrial animal farms and the coastal zone, to research on measures to catch or bind nutrients. Read more

seagull-informationTo create awareness about the threats and opportunities the Baltic Sea is facing, the Foundation initiated a 10-year media and film project with journalist Folke Rydén and photographer Mattias Klum. The Foundation has also supported Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre (Baltic Eye), and Baltic Sea Science Center at Skansen. Read more