A recent study by the International Programme on the State of the Ocean presented its most revealing case for global warming to the United Nations. Over 25 scientists got together in a three-day period and concluded that a global mass extinction in the oceans will occur within our lifetime.
Three factors are involved. Rising temperatures, acidification of the ocean and overfishing. They all lead to less food in the ocean for larger animals which means many creatures will starve to death on a huge scale.
Fish provide 20 percent of the world's source of protein. If those sources of food are cut off, many undeveloped nations may face mass starvation never before seen in human history.
The scientists urge drastic action now, including a reduction of fishing activities and moving toward renewable sources of energy.
There are no easy answers. Politics will often get in the way of producing a healthier environment. As many regions of the world see record flooding, the United States has dealt with two major river floods, fierce tornadoes and huge wildfires.
The signs of crazy weather are everywhere yet humans seem to not be able to pay attention to one of the planet's greatest assets. The Earth is 70 percent covered by water and this massive ecosystem is in danger of dying unless current trends are reversed.
Unfortunately, it may take a mass extinction of sea life to make humans wake up and realize that global warming is a real phenomenon. There have been numerous controversies in the United States over climate change research. As levels of carbon dioxide increase in the atmosphere, more drastic weather has appeared on a yearly basis.
Despite a huge conference in Copenhagen in December 2010, little work has gone into reversing carbon emissions from human activity. Countries such as China and the United States have a long way to go in reducing carbon emissions. The U.S. promised to reduce emissions from current levels by 83 percent before 2050.
The new study claims that may not be soon enough. When ocean temperatures rise and water absorbs more carbon, an increase in acid levels kills microscopic life on the ocean. Creatures that eat those tiny life forms have no food supply and they die. The process continues up the food chain.
Weather above the ocean will continue, but the state of the earth's atmosphere is choking underwater life. If these scientists are correct, our oceans may become barren wastelands and it may be too late to stop it.
americas got talent medieval times pluto tor david arquette jerry springer bbb
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.