Blue ecology and climate change

Abstract

Building on the concept of “Blue Ecology” introduced in previous BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management articles, the author proposes that we re-examine climate change from this “water first” angle: What is happening to the world's water in the context of climate change? As evidenced by higher temperatures resulting in melting Arctic ice, melting permafrost, freshwater (i.e., cold meltwater) influx into oceans, shifting water currents, drought, water stress, higher rainfall, and floods, the rhythm of water's transformations between solid, liquid, and gaseous states on our planet is undergoing a significant change, and at a significant rate. The author sees as essential the acknowledgement of water's central functional and spiritual roles in our world, and urges us to apply both respect and science-based understanding as we develop collaborative climate change mitigation strategies and instill this respect and understanding in younger generations.