Oceans and Economy with the Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- SMARTS Center
- Feb 19
- 1 min read
At the “Oceans and Economy” session organized by the AIT Extension at the AITCC on February 19, 2026, Prof. Joyashree Roy delivered a guest lecture for students from Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Boston, USA. Discussing topics on climate science, intergenerational human wellbeing, and the current and future maritime economy in a very lively interactive session.
The takeaway:
☀️ The ocean absorbed over 90% of the excess heat in the climate system (IPCC, 2019, p. 2) and by 2100, the amount will increase 5 - 7 times in higher emission scenarios (IPCC, 2019, p. 62). Ocean warming reduces water layer mixing, which decreases the supply of oxygen and nutrients for marine life.
💸 Additionally, climate-induced declines in ocean health will cost the global economy USD 428 billion per year by 2050 and USD 1.98 trillion per year by 2100 (IPCC, 2019, p. 77).
🚢 90% of the global cargo is transported by ships (International Chamber of Shipping, n.d., para. 1). Commercial shipping primarily uses fossil fuels and emits carbon and ashes that impacts climate and worsen air quality (IPCC, 2019)
🌊 Maritime-related emission reduction potential solutions: Reducing offshore oil and gas extraction, scaling offshore renewable energy, decarbonising cruise tourism, decarbonising ocean-based transport, expanding marine conservation and restoration, prudent utilisation of low-carbon ocean-based protein, and scientific storage of carbon dioxide below the seabed (Hoegh-Guldberg & Northrop, 2023).
📊 Demand-side mitigation solutions, energy efficiency, and the circular economy as new economic development models can have win-win solutions for economic growth with reduced emissions.
The session started and concluded with an interactive Q/A.
Joyashree Roy
Madhubani Ghosh
Jason Hyatt
Prathana Panwar
Sirayuth Thongprasert
