SJINML

Fossil fuel combustion and changes in patterns of land usage are together adding approximately 10 GT C yr-1 to the atmosphere, of which about half remains in the atmosphere contributing to global warming with the remaining half being taken up by the terrestrial biosphere and the oceans in approximately equal amounts. This major perturbation to the global carbon cycle is set against a much larger natural carbon cycle which our research focus is beginning to turn to understanding. Two key terms are the flux of carbon from terrestrial systems into inland waterways, estimated by the IPCC to be around 1-2 GT C yr-1 and the burial of ‘blue carbon’ in coastal systems such as mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass beds.

Both the value and plight of corals reefs are well established. During the past five decades, researchers have identified the key problems affecting reefs, including sedimentation, pollution, overfishing and climate change. We have also documented extensive losses, with an estimated 50% of reefs having been severely impacted during this period, as a result of human activities. Some reefs are thriving and have demonstrated the capacity for recovery from both local and global level stressors. Others have passed a tipping point and reached an alternate stable state, dominated by algae, and are unlikely to recover without interventions. With the frequency and magnitude of mass coral bleaching events increasing since the 1980’s, both ecological models and observational projections predict further losses and a future with coral reefs of lower biodiversity, structural complexity and ecosystem services.

Join us for an afternoon guest seminar with Ed Gillespie, a prominent author and speaker on urgent global challenges. Following on from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Leong’s National Day Speech, the impacts of climate change are now firmly in the minds of Singaporeans. In his guest talk, Ed will build on the 3 areas of the Prime Minister’s speech; understanding, mitigation & adaptation, to ask ‘what if?’ Ed will draw on inspiring examples of cutting edge climate action and thought leadership from around the world, to explore how Asian coastal cities, including Singapore, can address their climate future.

Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) is one of three research institutes in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). It is strategically located along the shoreline of Sepangar Bay, Kota Kinabalu, providing easy access to the sea and surrounding habitats. The institute conduct marine and aquaculture research and offer postgraduate degree programmes. Undergraduate teaching of two programmes, marine science and aquaculture is conducted on behalf of Faculty of Science and Natural Resource.