In this episode, Prem and Arati discuss our warming oceans with Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist and winner of the prestigious National Science Award, in 2024. What are the implications of increasingly intense and frequent marine heat waves? Why should we care? Who bears accountability of historical emissions? What does the interconnectedness of oceans and climate mean for tackling this crisis? The conversation emphasizes the need for local adaptation strategies, comprehensive data collection, and the alarming challenges faced in climate science funding. Dr. Koll highlights the urgency of addressing these issues to mitigate the impacts of the rising temperature on ecosystems and human communities.

Show Notes:

6:19: The Delusion of Dykes by Arati Kumar-Rao: https://www.peepli.org/stories/delusion-of-dykes/

11:14: Dr Roxy Mathew Koll biography: https://www.climate.rocksea.org/people/roxy-mathew-koll/

Dr Koll on X: https://x.com/RockSea and on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxy-koll/

20:05: India's updated Nationally Determined Contributions: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1847812

22:37: What is carbon capture? https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64723497

32:38: What is driving hydropower construction in Arunachal Pradesh?: https://dialogue.earth/en/energy/what-is-driving-hydropower-construction-in-arunachal-pradesh/

35:11: India's coal import rises 8% in FY24: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/indias-coal-import-rises-8-to-268-mt-in-fy24/articleshow/110049693.cms

37:08: What are marine heatwaves and why should we care?: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01806-9.pdf

37:08: A Down To Earth explainer on marine heatwaves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhjzQ0pmgnE

39:47: Rising sea surface temperatures driving loss of 14% corals since 2009: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/rising-sea-surface-temperatures-driving-loss-14-percent-corals-2009

40:58: Biology and ecology of coral mucus release: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022098111003510

43:07: What is the Pacific blob: https://www.nps.gov/articles/theblob.htm and impact on US fisheries: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/looking-back-blob-record-warming-drives-unprecedented-ocean-change

45:14: Discussion on the increasing occurrence of cyclones in the Arabian Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dX1-bftB-M

47:03: Trump administration further cuts NOAA funds: https://www.axios.com/2025/07/01/noaa-document-deep-trump-cuts and Trump cuts will have huge impact on global climate finance: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/10/trumps-usaid-cuts-will-have-huge-impact-on-global-climate-finance-data-shows

49:29: FAQs on El Nino and La Nina: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/el-nino-and-la-nina-frequently-asked-questions

54:55: El Nino may cause major drop in sardine catch: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/el-nino-may-cause-major-drop-in-sardine-catch-say-scientists/article26969279.ece and CMFRI report: https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/13767/

57:10: Dr Koll-led report on reduction of phytoplankton in the Indian Ocean: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287346786_A_reduction_in_marine_primary_productivity_driven_by_rapid_warming_over_the_tropical_Indian_Ocean

Please see the full show notes on YouTube:
https://www.yout

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