Experts advocate for comprehensive ocean research to tackle climate change at CARE-2025 conference in Koc

Kochi: Researchers need to study the oceans in more depth to understand the climate change-driven happenings on land, said Padmashri Cheruvayal Raman, conservationist and tribal farmer from Wayanad, on Monday.

Speaking at a climate adaptation and resilience (CARE-2025) conference at Cochin University, Raman said before 1965, one never heard of climate change. “But now, with the amount of heat being generated from the oceans, there are changes in the rainfall and winds,” he said. “I used to know six types of rains and five types of winds, but now I don’t know the rainfall patterns, which have disturbed our agriculture patterns and affected everyone’s health,” he added.

Raman, the guardian of over 65 indigenous paddy varieties, said, “As someone who has practised agriculture for the past 65 years since the age of 10, I believe in agriculture that doesn’t kill the soil with pesticides and fertilizers. Critics question how this practice can provide four square meals to all. To me, it’s better to eat healthy once a day than have food that invites health issues.”

In keeping with the theme on climate adaptation and resilience, the conference was inaugurated by watering a potted sapling of a jackfruit tree. CMFRI director Grinson George, who was the chief guest, spoke of the effect of climate change on the fisheries sector. “Kerala suffers serious impacts of climate change daily, affecting the structure and function of ecosystems ranging from organisms around us to gut microbes. An immediate action plan is the need of the hour. We should also develop a climate action plan for Kochi, which is feeling the impact of climate change in all areas — be it fisheries, coasts, inundation and flooding.”

In his address, Cochin Shipyard chairman and managing director (CMD) Madhu Nair spoke of the green solutions in the maritime industry and how it would help in reducing the greenhouse gases. “Climate change can be addressed with sustainability measures. When two billion lives are at stake, it is time to fight for us and for the future generation with the help of engineering and technology,” he said.

The conference is being jointly organised by CUSAT’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences and Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR) along with the Indian Meteorological Society.