The Ocean and Climate Change
The Importance of the Ocean
The Ocean is the Earth’s Circulatory System
Ocean currents are the lifeblood of the planet. They stabilize global temperatures, circulate oxygen, and redistribute nutrients. Both the Gulf Stream[1] and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)[2] have been slowing down. When these currents lessen, sea levels rise. The Atlantic Ocean experiences an oscillation, much like the El Nino in the Pacific Ocean. These oscillations influence weather patterns across the globe.[3]
[2] Goddard et al. 2015, Nature Communications.
[3] Hurrell, J, 1995, Science.
Surface winds
Surface winds help drive ocean currents. By extracting kinetic energy from the atmosphere, wind turbines reduce downstream (leeward) wind by 40%-50% up to a 40–60-mile expanse[1, 2, 3]. A study funded by BOEM predicts that a buildout of wind turbines off the coast of RI and MA will reduce wave height and current strength, and will alter temperature stratification.[3] Could building wind turbines along the outer continental shelf exacerbate sea level rise?
[1] Platis et al. 2020, Environmental Research Letters.
[2] Haseger et al, 2013, Energies.
[3] Miller et al. 2016, PNAS.
[4] Johnson et al. BOEM.
Healthy Oceans Combat Climate Change
According to the United Nations, the ocean is our best protection against climate change.[1] Projects that harm the ocean, decrease biodiversity, or alter currents will potentially accelerate climate change and thus, are not real solutions. Any effective solution for climate change will need to protect, not harm the ocean.
What does the US Government say? Will offshore wind help climate change?
No Benefit, Not Even a Collective Benefit
“Overall, it is anticipated that there would be no collective impact on global warming as a result of offshore wind projects, including the Proposed Action alone, though they may beneficially contribute to a broader combination of actions to reduce future impacts from climate change.”
VWF, FEIS, vol 2, A-66
No Change
“Ongoing trends associated with climate change, including increases in water temperature, ocean acidification, changes in runoff and circulation patterns, and species range shifts, are expected to continue.”
RWF, FEIS, 3.6-13
Not Building Offshore Wind Would be Better for the Environment
“Adverse environmental impacts in the Project area would generally be less under Alternative A (No Action)...”
RWF, Record of Decision, page 20.
Yet, the government permitted the project anyway.
We need solutions, not false promises.
Conservation
Cars, home hating, and airplane traffic are not the only contributors to green house gases (GHG). Cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and internet servers consume vast quantities of electricity. Intermittent sources of electricity such as wind and solar will only stress our grid, not strengthen it. We need to think about preserving nature, not exploiting it.
Soil Management and Microbes
Soil management may not seem like a glamorous solution, but some scientists suggest microbes [1] and soil management [2] have a previously unrecognized impact on climate change.
[1] Michel, et al., PNAS, 2024.
[2] Shelton, YaleNews, 2023.
Small Modular Nuclear
Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) impose the smallest footprint on the environment with the largest potential benefit. They produce steady electricity in 1/200th of the space. Sweden has abandoned wind farms in favor of nuclear energy. The US would be wise to follow suit.