(Photo of Atlantic Ocean from Flickr and Desi Zavatta Musolino)
News Update: The North Atlantic Ocean, one of the world’s major carbon sinks, is absorbing less carbon dioxide, a project funded by the European Union revealed last week. Three years of research show the ocean is sopping up only half as much CO2 as it did in the last decade. The amount fluctuates, however, so it’s hard to be sure to what extent the trend will continue. Oceans normally soak up about one-quarter of the carbon emissions released into the air, so a sharp decline would accelerate GHG in the atmosphere and global warming. Scientists speculate whether the cause is carbon over-saturation or shifting weather patterns. Whatever the cause, they said we can solve the problem by reducing GHG emissions 75%. “We must act now,” said project leader Christoph Heinze. (Source: PlanetArk.)
3 comments:
There is also negative side effect of more acidly sea water to marine life, due to higher CO2 level in the air and maximum absorbing of CO2 at given temperature of water.
How many more, such negative facts do we need to take global warming more seriously, as a world society?
You're right. The oceans are in peril. We've really made a mess of them. Thanks for commenting on my blog!
Thanks Cynthia!
I could add so much more bad facts and numbers about the oceans, but your post is so nicely balanced and literally well expressed, that I simply don't want to spoil it.
I'll add just one physical ocean effect, which is preparing/cooking to hit Eastern US and NW, and Western Europe in near future: huge changes in direction and speed of Atlantic sea currents. I better not mention the consequences.
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