Introduction
Plastic pollution is something in which is highly recognized worldwide as a problem for our seas and for our future, but what most people fail to notice is that it is not the only culprit as to why our marine ecosystems are deteriorating. As the climate begins to change drastically and global warming becomes a realistic and frightening concept we fail to recognize just what a big impact these changes will have on our oceans and the marine life who call it home. According to studies conducted on the effects of the carbon-cycle to the acceleration of which global warming is being increased, the findings have proved that “About half of the current emissions are being absorbed by the ocean and by land ecosystems” (Cox 2000).
There are about 3.5 billion people in the world depend on the oceans as a source of life, in which they are able to fish the marine life for a sustainable living, and statistics show that that number could increase in 20 years to about 7 billion (Interesting Ocean Facts). Not only are the oceans being used for fishing, but there are coral reefs in which barricade certain islands, provide the means of tourism for certain countries and islands, and assist as a renewable energy source through the use of oceans tides and waves (Facts About Ocean Energy). The ocean is used in a numerous amount of ways by an enormous amount of people worldwide, however, many fail to recognize that we are in fact adding to the harm that may one day cause the collapse and decline of all marine life and marine habitats.
Even with the alarming rate and amount of pollution concentration in the atmosphere, especially due to greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had vetoed the people of Massachusetts’s petition to regulate the amount of emission of these greenhouse gases back in 2007 (Massachusetts vs. EPA). The case, brought about a petition set by the people of Massachusetts and other states against EPA asking them to regulate the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to the alarming rate of global warming. The case was brought up to EPA that they should be responsible for such regulations under the Clean Air Act that was enacted in 1963. EPA, however, argues against the petition because under the Clean Air Act they did not have the authority to regulate these greenhouse gas emissions.
Part I of this paper will enclose the current state of our global climate. It will encompass the different effects of global warming and climate change such as rising temperatures, extreme weather conditions, and ocean acidification. Part II will disclose what all the previously stated effects of climate change will have on marine life, including but not limited to coral bleaching, ocean salinity, a change in migration shifts, dead zones, and marine life illnesses and deformation. Last but not least, Part III will offer up a several numbers of ways in which we can regulate and minimize our carbon footprints allowing for the deceleration, if not the reversal of climate change.
PART I.
Current Conditions of the Earth Due to Climate Change
As there becomes a more and more prevalent concentration of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere it comes as no surprise that this will cause the restructuring of our atmosphere and add to an over the change in our environment. There is an assortment of ways in which our climate has already changed and will continue to change. The impacts on the environment due to climate change that I will be going over include rising temperatures, extreme weather conditions, ocean acidification and rising sea levels.
A. Rising Temperatures
The earth acts as a natural greenhouse so when light, from the sun, is directed into our planet about 30 percent of that light is emitted back towards space, whereas, the rest, roughly 70 percent is absorbed on earth (Global Warming). Majority of that absorbed light is contained within our oceans and our land, while there is a percentage that gets absorbed by our atmosphere. For the most part, it is a good thing for this light to become absorbed by the atmosphere because it emits heat onto our planet which allows for life to grow and thrive. However, what isn’t a good thing for the planet is the accelerated rate and artificial creation of heat that is being absorbed by the planet.
The main culprit of the artificial creation of heat is carbon dioxide. There are two aspects to the increase of carbon dioxide that add to the higher concentration in the atmosphere. For one, the increased and continuous burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the air. Secondly, and to make matters worse, there is an increase of deforestation for a number of reasons ranging from agricultural to commercial use. The reason why this makes matters worse is that trees act as a natural carbon cleaner. Trees are notoriously known for taking in carbon dioxide and converting that and releasing it back into the world as oxygen for everyone to breathe.
Just as stated before, earth acts as a greenhouse and this means that some of the heat that is emitted will never make it out to space because it will get contained in the atmosphere before it reaches that far. With the increase of carbon dioxide being trapped and with the inability for trees to convert the carbon dioxide into oxygen, it will remain in the atmosphere until a percentage is absorbed by the land and by the oceans. The concentration of carbon dioxide along with the presence of water vapor, clouds, and other greenhouse gases like methane contribute to the increased warmth on the planet.
B. Extreme Weather Conditions
Distinct terminology to remember here is the difference between weather and climate. Weather is at the moment, what is happening right now, whereas, the climate is a continuous measure of weather patterns over time. There are a number of severe weather conditions that can be classified under extreme weather. Cases of extreme weather include, but are not limited to, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes, and floods. All of the previously stated conditions have ties to the change in our climate patterns and most especially the rising temperatures on earth.
It should come as no surprise that drought and heat waves would fall under these weather conditions. If one knows that the planet’s temperature is increasing more and more every day it should be easy to connect that there will be some areas of the earth that have a higher heat distribution than most. In some areas, such as California, Northern India, and Spain the drought season is extremely high and has been going on for quite some time. All of these previously stated areas, as well as some other that have not been listed, are situated where the equator lies, and this is why the drought is more intense in these areas. The areas near the equator are already heated more than those further away but with the increase of greenhouse gases getting trapped and rising temperatures it makes sense that severe hear would hit these areas.
Although severe weather conditions like droughts and heat waves should come as no surprise it can be surprising to hear about extreme weather like hurricanes and floods. How can hurricanes and floods, a water-based weather condition be affected by climate change and rising temperatures? The reason for this is one simple answer water vapor. Warmer air is known to have more water vapor in it, humidity in other words. Not only is there more water vapor in the air but there is also an increase in evaporation due to the warming temperatures and an increase in evaporation mean that during the process of precipitation there is more water present to precipitate. With more water during precipitation, you can count on an increase and a heavier amount of rain pour. An increased heavy rain is most likely to cause a flood, especially a flash flood. As for hurricanes, the increase of warming temperatures has a very horrifying effect on them. Studies have shown that although the warming of the earth doesn’t increase the number of hurricanes it definitely influences the intensity of hurricanes (Knutson 2009). Hurricanes are known to form over warmer, tropical waters which tend to have high humidity and warm sea temperatures (Graham & Riebeek 2006). If a hurricane travels over another part of the ocean in which holds the same characteristics, then it tends to intensify and grow.
C. Ocean Acidification
Many people do not understand what ocean acidification, but the meaning is within the name. The term ocean acidification is just that, the increase in acidity within the ocean. Ocean acidification is the process by which the pH levels in the oceans are reduced and therefore cause a change in the chemistry of the water itself (Feely 2008). The process of ocean acidification is caused primarily by the rising concentrations of carbon dioxide within the atmosphere. According to this article and study were done by Feely and his colleagues, ocean acidification is a well-known and somewhat well-understood field in which numerous amount of data has been documented. According to Feely, unless we are able to control the rapid rate of carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere, then the rate in which ocean acidification is growing will only accelerate at a faster pace. Ocean acidification is known catalyst toward coral bleaching and shifts in the marine ecosystem, that I will late go in depth about.
D. Rising Sea Levels
We’ve all seen the way in which heat has the ability to melt ice… Now think of that on a grand scale. Just like heat melting ice from an ice-cold drink on a hot afternoon, the rising temperatures of the world are slowly, but surely, melting areas in which there is heavy ice. Areas such as Greenland and Antarctica, are slowly losing their ice glaciers to rising temperatures, but what happens to all the ice once it’s melted? Once the ice cubes in your cup have melted the water usually gets higher, and in the same scenario so do sea levels. This can cause a domino effect. Due to the melting of ice caps and glaciers, the oceans will have to take in more water and because of this it will take up more space in oceanic basins and eventually overflow. This overflow will cause a rise in sea level, but where will this lead?
A rise in sea level with has tremendous effects on coastal habitats, such as islands and areas like California that have a coast. The rising sea levels can cause a variety of destruction to these habitats. For one, these areas will flood, causing the land mass to decrease because more of the land will be taken by the overflowing seas. Floods will also have a devastating effect on the land through destructive erosion and soil contamination. All these issues that have been listed will cause a loss of habitat for all the animals and plants that live nearby. Humans too will be affected because those who live by the coast will have to move further inland to escape the floods.
PART II.
Effects of Climate Change on Marine Life
As one can see from the previous part, the oceans can be affected in a number of ways due to climate change. The ocean becomes effected from climate change due to an increase of temperature, the increase of water vapor and humidity causing hurricanes over oceans to become more intense an increase of acidity due from carbon dioxide intake, and a rise in sea levels. What happens to the animals who call the oceans home? Next, I will introduce a number of ways in which animals are directly affected by the previously stated effects of climate change.
A. Coral Bleaching
Coral reefs are home to an abundance of animals, from sharks to different types of sponges and fish. In one small part of the coral reef, one can see the biodiversity of the place. All kinds of creatures turn these coral reefs into homes especially because the coral reefs provide a source of nutrient recycling amongst the animals who reside there. The coral reefs act as somewhat of an oasis and a safe shelter for animals who have traveled a long distance through the open sea.