Ocean & Climate Change

Table of Contents:

   1. The Ocean is Our Planets Life System

   2. Brief History of Climate Change

   3. How the Ocean is affected by Climate change
          A. Sea Level Rise
          B. Arctic Ice Melting
          C. Coral Bleaching
          D. Ocean Acidification
          E. Food Cycle Interference

   4. A Thriving, Healthy Ocean is Possible

The Ocean is Our Planets Life System:

Every breath of air and sip of water you drink, you're connecting yourself to the Ocean. The Ocean covers 71% of Earth, supplying 50% of the air we breathe, moderating our climate and influencing weather events. The Ocean provides food, recreation, medicine, freshwater (most rain comes from the Ocean) and countless other benefits. The success of all life on Earth relies on the Ocean.

Download Image: Why should we care about the Ocean? 

Brief History of Climate Change:

Climate Change (Global Warming) refers to long term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. 

The Industrial Revolution (1750 to 1840) was the transition from products by hand, to machine and also the beginning of trapping greenhouse gasses in Earth’s atmosphere. 

Since the 1900’s, humans have significantly increased the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas to generate electricity, heat, use transportation and manufacture goods. These are the largest contributors of Climate Change and are responsible for over 75% of global greenhouse emissions. 

The other main drivers of Climate Change include deforestation, farming livestock, overfishing, plastic pollution, industrialization and habitat destruction. 

Right now in 2022, there will be 36.6 billion tons of CO2 emitted this year and we have consistently emitted over 30 billion tons since 2006. China, the United States and India are the three largest contributors of Climate Change.

Download Image: 2021 Global Temperatures 

How the Ocean is affected by Climate Change?

The Ocean is our frontline defense when it comes to Climate Change because it absorbs ~90% of extra heat and ~50% of the carbon dioxide generated by greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately for the Ocean, this is dramatically effecting marine ecosystems. Below are 5 major causes and effects.

Rising Sea Level:

One reason that sea level’s are rising is from the melting of Arctic ice and glaciers. The second reason is the thermal expansion of water. When water is heated up, the particles expand and take up more space, causing the Ocean to expand and is the main reason for the rise in sea levels.

Sea level rise is threatening coastal communities and life all around the world. Over the next coming decades, expect to see more severe floods, intense storm surges and extreme coastal erosion. This will damage coastal infrastructure like houses, roads, bridges and fragile wildlife habitats.

Image by: David Moir,  Learn More: Climate Change: Global Sea Level

Arctic Ice Melting:

The Arctic and Antarctica are two ancient ecosystems that have sustained Earth’s energy balance, cold conditions and circulated the Ocean water for millions of years. 

They have also been a hotspot of Climate Change as polar region temperatures are increasing 4x faster than the rest of the planet. This means that the average Arctic temperature in 2022 has increased 3°C warmer since 1980.

Not only does sea ice provide a habitat for thousands of animals including polar bears, seals, penguins, fish, birds, etc. But sea ice plays a crucial role in keeping polar temperatures cool due to its ability to reflect sunlight back into space.  

Rising global temperatures is melting sea ice before our eyes. This is causing darker surfaces like water or land to be exposed which reflects less solar radiation back into space and causing temperatures to be warmer. This cycle is constantly repeating itself and is known as a positive feedback loop amplifying Climate Change.

Coral bleaching:

Coral reefs are the rainforests of the seas. While they cover less than 1% of the Ocean floor, they support ~25% of known marine species. They’re one of most diverse habitats in the world and very crucial to Earth's biodiversity. 

Coral reefs also protect coastlines from storms and erosion, provide recreational activities, support tourism and supply jobs and food for millions of people all around the world.

Climate Change is killing coral reefs : (  This is caused by massive coral bleaching events. Because temperatures are rising, corals expel the algae (zooxanthellae) from their tissue and cause it to turn white. If the coral can’t recover by returning to cool enough temperatures, the coral will die.

Multiple studies have shown that a 2° C rise in temperature could cause 90% of all coral on Earth to be lost and essentially disappear by 2100. Right now, as of December 2022, we are predicted to hit 1.1° C to 5.4° C warmer in 2100. But the exact amount of warming in 2100 depends on the choices we make today.

Ocean Acidification:

The Ocean absorbs ~30 - 50% of all the carbon being emitted by humans through the atmosphere and phytoplankton. This change in the fundamental chemical balance of the Ocean is changing sea water into carbonic acid.

Acidification reduces the availability of calcium carbonate in the Ocean which is dissolving the nutrients that phytoplankton, clams, lobster, shrimp and coral reefs use to build their shells and skeletons. 

As bad as this is for the shellfish industry, economists predict that consumers will lose roughly $480 million per year by 2100. The extreme concern is that phytoplankton are the base of all marine ecosystems. More on this in the food cycle interference section.

Since humans rely heavily on the Ocean for survival, human health will also be directly affected. There will be an increase in respiratory issues, malnutrition, poisoning, mental health impacts and loss of potential medical resources.

Species Extinction:

Humans have increased the extinction of animals 1000 times the normal rate due to Climate Change and habitat destruction. Marine and terrestrial species that have been here longer than us will be gone because of us.

Phytoplankton are the foundation of the Ocean food chain, fueling the entire ecosystem. They photosynthesize to produce 50% of the oxygen you and I are breathing right now, as well as create nutrients that make most Ocean life possible.

Warming temperatures are dissolving phytoplankton's calcium carbonate shells, making them smaller, less effective at storing carbon and decreasing the overall abundance of phytoplankton.

Food chains are important for the survival of life. Phytoplankton are the foundation of the marine food chain and because their abundance is going down, this is affecting the rest of the food chain. From fish to whales to humans.

Image from "Current State & Trends in Arctic Marine Ecosystems II," by Darnis et al., in Climatic Change.

A Thriving, Healthy Ocean is Possible

The biggest way you can help is by actively getting involved and never giving up!!! Change your mindset to be environmentally friendly and optimistic. Imagine a flourishing Ocean, teaming with diverse wildlife, coral thriving, sea ice reforming, sea levels staying the same and zero plastic.

Everyone must contribute in their own unique way because there isn’t one solution to Climate Change. We all have a chance right now, to change the course of history, by reversing the effects of Climate Change and leaving future generations with a sustainable planet that both humans and animals can enjoy and prosper.

5 Tips to Fight Climate Change:

1. The future is up to You! You must get involved and help out in any way you can because this is our one and only planet, that we all call home.
2. Here are some of the many solutions to Climate Change: Help stop forestry, plant trees, make your voice heard by those in power, educate yourself and raise awareness on our global crisis.
3. Keep track of how much carbon you're emitting to limit and cut your own carbon emissions. Reduce your energy use, reduce, reuse, recycle, eliminate single use plastics, eat less meat, support your local economy, use public transportation, etc.
4. Get involved with Carbon Capture Technology. An incredible team in Hawai’i called Yummet  plans to capture 3 billion tons of CO2 per year and reshape the carbon molecules into net-negative concrete, potable drinking water and green hydrogen.
5. If you don’t want to actively get involved, you can at least donate to non-profit organizations like One Tree Planted, who are fighting for a sustainable future. Donating $20 a month for 10 years adds up to $2400 and plants 2400 trees around the world.
   

All stock images from Pexel's