In 2023, the IPCC deemed it highly unlikely that the AMOC would collapse by the end of the century. In a recent letter, some experts believe that this risk has been underestimated. What is this current? How does it influence the climate? Is its collapse imminent? What would be the consequences?

With

• Didier Swingedouw Climatologist at the Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux (EPOC) laboratory in Bordeaux.
• Pascale Lherminier Physicist at Ifremer, UMR LOPS in Brest.

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Global warming is threatening a vast set of marine currents in the Atlantic Ocean: the AMOC. According to 43 international experts, we have underestimated the risks of shutting it down. What would be the consequences?

The AMOC is a system of ocean currents, of which the Gulf Stream is a part. It is one of the major drivers of climate, playing a crucial role in redistributing heat around the planet, and is one of the reasons why our climate in Western Europe is temperate. In a recent letter, experts stress the collateral effects of its slowing down, or even its collapse. Because this is now a probable risk.

On 18 November 2024, the annual Brest-Iroise Workshop Zone (ZABrI ) Day was held at the Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM) in Plouzané. Attended by 60 participants, the central theme of the event was co-construction between scientists and local stakeholders. The aim was to explore and strengthen collaboration to improve understanding and management of socio-ecosystems.

Enriching discussions on co-construction

The day began with an introduction and presentations of projects illustrating the diversity of multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. Participants were able to discover, among other things, the ETICS project on the development of innovative methods based on molecular biology for trophic ecology and the DYNARADE project, focusing on the shared management of coastal environments in the Brest harbour, with the example of the Spartina.
Three thematic sessions followed, offering a variety of perspectives on co-construction. The presentations highlighted the importance of close cooperation between researchers, local authorities, associations and other stakeholders in tackling environmental issues. Inspiring examples, highlighting, for example, the role of biosphere reserves in strengthening partnerships, participatory observation approaches, the involvement of local authorities in governance, the importance and methods of mediation in sharing knowledge and transforming practices, illustrated the diversity of projects and partnership dynamics carried out in the ZABrI and the other Workshop Zones.

Collaborative workshops to build the future

The second part of the afternoon was devoted to workshops. Divided into groups, the participants considered co-construction approaches in conjunction with different types of stakeholder: local authorities, civil society and natural environment managers. These discussions helped to identify levers for action to enhance collaboration and improve existing practices.

An action-oriented conclusion

At the end of the day, the workshops were summed up in a summary of the discussions and proposals, confirming the participants’ commitment to continuing this collaborative dynamic. Fred Jean, Director of the IUEM, brought the event to a close by stressing the importance of strengthening the links between science and territory in the face of environmental challenges.
The day’s events were a great success, providing food for thought on how to build close, lasting partnerships to serve socio-ecosystems. The cross-disciplinary approach adopted by ZABrI illustrates how research can be part of a collective approach to meeting local and global environmental challenges.

The IUEM Director and his team wish all the Institute’s staff and students an excellent year 2025!

The third China-Europe Border Forum on Advances in Ocean Science and Technology (FFPOST2) was held in Shanghai and on-line on 18 and 19 November 2024. It was organised by Paul Tréguer (IUEM-UBO, European Academy of Sciences EurASc) and Jing Zhang (ECNU, Chinese Academy of Sciences), as part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

About 50 participants attended, with livestreams occurring about 6000 persons. Twenty-four invited speakers presented communications. Progress are remarkable regarding the usability of Ditigal twin oceans and of the AI in physics and biogeochemistry and in coastal management. All carbon dioxide removal (CDR) deployments will lead to compensatory CO2 efflux or reduced influx from all natural reservoirs, stressing the need for all realistic land-based, ocean-based and blue carbon CDR. Carbon sinks due to fisheries are being assessed, extension of the Oxygen Minimum Zone has been shown. Impacts of sea-level rise and extreme events like heat waves are key issues for the near future. First economic costs of the flooding of the coastlines are now available. Spectacular progress in observation tools and networks of the ocean have been highlighted.

For more detailled informations, please refer to the synthetic report.