Impacts of climate change and the role of the ocean

Decarbonization of our energy system is imperative to combat climate change, but also to protect our oceans. DNV talks to Jose Maria Figueres, former President of Costa Rica, and Co-Chair of the Global Ocean Commission, and Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), about the progress being made in achieving the target of a maximum temperature increase of 2 degrees, and what it will mean for our future if we fail. Decarbonization and the protection of our oceans are two sides of the same coin. In this vibrant and fascinating episode, Christiana and Jose Maria’s message to us couldn’t be clearer. We can only reach our goal by addressing these issues in tandem, and often the role of the ocean in preserving the planet’s ecosystem is taken for granted. We also discuss DNV's prediction, in the Energy Transition Outlook 2017 of a global temperature increase of 2.5 degrees, and the impact that this will have not only on humanity, but also the global economy. We consider whether some of the damage already done can be reversed, and how current initiatives will help to improve the world economic situation. Finally, they consider the responsibility of fossil rich countries and how future changes are likely to impact on their geopolitical status. *This episode was recorded live at the Singapore International Energy Week 2017.