IPCC’s special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate : what’s in it for Latin America?

The IPCC’s “Summary for Policy Makers” focuses on global issues and trends. This in-depth report distils from it the richest material available on Latin America. Extreme weather events can create cascading impacts on people and the environment. Coastal ecosystems such as sea grasses and mangroves are affected by ocean warming including acidification, loss of oxygen, salinity intrusion and sea level rise. Changes underway in glacier-fed rivers cannot be reversed. Protecting and restoring what is called coastal ‘blue carbon’ ecosystems such as mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass meadows can help mitigate climate change by locking up carbon. Types of adaptation actions include wetland conservation and restoration, and hard coastal protection and managed realignment.Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherland