Allianz Commercial’s Post

As Polar voyages continue to increase the article below is an interesting piece of information from Allianz Commercial Highlighting the top five incidents. "Challenging Arctic conditions can pose different risks to vessels, crews, and the environment, however. Waters can be harsh, with the threat of sea ice and hazardous weather, while the region’s remoteness means limited access to infrastructure if a vessel runs into problems." At VIKING Life-Saving Equipment We fully understand the risks and are here to help advice on all the aspects required for your ships crews safety. #Shipping #Shipsafety #polarvoyage #arctic #marinepolarsafety

📢 Just in, NOAA's 2023 Arctic Report Card: ️Human-caused warming of air, ocean & land is affecting people, ecosystems & communities across the Arctic region, which is heating up faster than any other part of the world. https://bit.ly/4aezkUz

THE ROLE OF JELLIES AS A FOOD SOURCE IN THE ARCTIC WINTER The Arctic is changing rapidly due to climate change. It is not only affected by increasing surface temperatures, but also by warm water from the Atlantic, which is flowing in more and more — changing the structures and functions of the ecosystem as it also leads to species from warmer regions, such as sea jellies (also known as jellyfish) arriving in the Arctic. 

THE SUN AND CLIMATE CHANGE The sun is a critical factor in Earth's climate system, providing the energy that drives weather patterns, seasons, and more. However, several complex processes influence how this solar energy affects different parts of the planet, leading to a variety of climate effects rather than a uniform warming. Here are some key reasons why the sun's energy impacts Earth unevenly: ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION: The Earth's atmosphere is composed of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapour, among others. These gases absorb, scatter, and reflect solar radiation differently. For instance, clouds reflect a significant portion of incoming sunlight, while greenhouse gases trap heat, leading to warming. Nature uses greenhouse gases to balance the Earth's temperature suitable for life on Earth to benefit from the rays of the sun. ANGLE OF INCIDENCE: The angle at which sunlight hits the Earth affects its intensity. Near the equator, sunlight strikes the surface directly and is more concentrated, causing higher temperatures. Near the poles, sunlight arrives at a slant, spreads over a larger area, and travels through more atmosphere, reducing its intensity and resulting in cooler temperatures. ALBEDO EFFECT: Different surfaces on Earth reflect sunlight differently. Surfaces with high albedo, like ice and snow, reflect most of the sunlight, while darker surfaces, like oceans and forests, absorb more sunlight and heat up more. This variation affects local and global temperatures. OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION: The Earth's oceans and atmosphere circulate heat around the planet. Ocean currents, like the Gulf Stream, transport warm water from the equator towards the poles, influencing climate regions. Atmospheric winds distribute heat and moisture, shaping weather patterns. SEASONAL CHANGES: The tilt of the Earth's axis leads to seasons. Depending on the time of year, different parts of the Earth receive more direct sunlight. For example, when it's summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it's winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa, leading to seasonal climate variations. GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES: Mountains, valleys, and other landforms also influence how sunlight is absorbed and how air moves in an area. For instance, mountain ranges can block air movement and lead to rain shadows, where one side of the mountain receives less precipitation than the other. These factors collectively explain why the sun's energy does not uniformly heat the Earth, leading to a diverse range of environments and climates across the globe. "2023 was the world’s warmest year on record, by far Antarctic sea ice coverage hit record low" https://lnkd.in/gicveXK8

Amidst the global climate crisis, our coral reefs are vanishing, with 50% lost since 1950. However, a glimmer of hope emerges - Artificial Reefs. These structures not only serve as underwater marvels but are also unsung heroes in the fight against climate change, supporting marine ecosystems. 🌊🐬🌎 https://zurl.co/74T8 #ArtificialReefs #ClimateChange #OceanConservation #MarineLife #Innovation #ClimateAction #Oceans #InThingNow #GenZ #CoralReefs #Oceans

The United Nations High Seas Treaty is expected to boost protection for about two-thirds of Earth's oceans which lie outside national jurisdiction. As the largest habitat in the world, the ocean plays a crucial role in supporting the living organisms that store carbon. To combat climate change, it is crucial to ensure the ocean remains healthy and is able to provide those services.   Click the link to access the full article: https://lnkd.in/gVGp8kuj #BlueEconomy #NaturePositive #SustainableInvesting

Warmest Arctic summer on record affecting fish survival, ecosystems. NOAA’s 2023 Arctic Report Card shows that human-caused warming of the air, ocean and land is affecting people, ecosystems and communities across the Arctic region, which is heating up faster than any other part of the world. Summer surface air temperatures during 2023 were the warmest ever observed in the Arctic, and the highest point on Greenland’s ice sheet experienced http://ow.ly/1A0k1055FW3

Coral bleaching is a warning sign of our warming oceans. As bleaching events become more frequent, it threatens the survival of coral reefs, vital marine ecosystems that support countless species and protect our coastlines. By learning about coral bleaching, we can take action to mitigate its impact and protect these “rainforests of the sea.” #caribeanclimate #caricomclimate #buildingresilience #futuresecured

While this is devastating news, it’s important to remember that bleached corals are not dead corals, and they can recover if ocean temperatures return to normal. We’re working to help build the resilience of our Reef, so it can better withstand the impacts of climate change into the future. Learn more about how heat stress, and coral bleaching, is impacting our Reef: https://lnkd.in/ghqdJPFd 🐠

We’re deeply saddened by Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's confirmation today of a mass bleaching event on our Great Barrier Reef. Aerial surveys of two thirds of the marine park show widespread coral bleaching consistent with patterns of heat stress that has built up over summer.    While this is devastating news, it’s important to remember that bleached corals are not dead corals, and they can recover if ocean temperatures return to normal. We’re working to help build the resilience of our Reef, so it can better withstand the impacts of climate change into the future. Learn more about how heat stress, and coral bleaching, is impacting our Reef: https://lnkd.in/ghqdJPFd 🐠