What is the Ocean's role in driving changes in climate and fisheries?

Talk - What is the Ocean's Role in driving changes in climate and fisheries?

Guest Speaker: Dr Colin Summerhayes

The oceans play a major role in climate change because they carry heat and salt slowly around the world.

When warm salty water (e.g. The Gulf Stream) nears the Arctic, it becomes dense enough to sink, gradually moving at depth all the way to Antarctica, where it influences the climate, thus connecting the poles. Warming oceans release water vapour through evaporation, and water being a greenhouse gas, adds to global warming.

Colin will explain how other greenhouse gases are released and the effect this has on warming our planet further. He will enlighten us on warm El Nino and cold La Nina that seriously affect fisheries, especially in the Pacific. 

Dr Colin Summerhayes speaker bio

Marine geochemist Dr Colin Summerhayes is an expert in determining past climates and estimating future ones. An Emeritus Affiliate at the Scott Polar Research Institute of Cambridge University, he has been Executive Director of the International Council for Science's Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR). Director of the Global Ocean Observing System at UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in Paris, Director of the UK's Institute of Oceanographic Sciences Deacon Laboratory (Wormley), and Deputy Director of the Southampton (now National) Oceanography Centre. He has worked in academia, government and industry (BP and EXXON). He is a current member of the International Anthropocene Working Group. His books include ''Oceanography - an illustrated guide'', ''Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment'' and ''Earth's Climate Evolution'', amongst many other titles.

In January 2026 an International High Seas Treaty entered into force. The UK officially ratified this treaty in July 2026. This helps the UK support the 30by30 commitment to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.

• This talk will be live in the Papercourt clubhouse. We encourage members to attend the clubhouse, have a drink, and enjoy catching up with friends.         

Organiser: Jane Osborn, Vice Commodore