Eaarth

Holy Sea cucumber! I just finished the first two chapters of Bill McKibben’s Eaarth and let me tell you, I feel nauseated.  McKibben discusses how we, mankind has basically buried ourselves in the attempts for economic prosperity and growth. He sheds light on how current climate changes due to increased CO2 emissions have in turn greatly affected our planet and that if we as a society refuse to acknowledge these problems we will forever be faced with hardships and suffering. 

As the main focus of my blog is centered on the world ocean, I felt it only right to explore further the affects of what McKibben so ferociously seeks to change.

The melting of the northern polar ice cap is just one case as to why there has been a sharp rise in sea levels throughout the world. The increase of Greenhouse gasses is causing an increase in atmospheric temperature, which in turn is causing polar ice caps to melt. Apart from the obvious affect of habitat loss for polar bears, seals and many other animals the affects of rising sea levels are far more complex. Take mangroves for example. Mangroves are different kinds of trees that grow in shallow waters. They serve as a critical habitat to numerous species and greatly deplete if they are not able to move into shallower waters. Such an ecosystem is then unable to keep up with the rising sea levels and is in turn destroyed in the process.  

It’s getting hot in here! Just as sea level affects shallow water ecosystems, increases in water temperatures cause a reduction of CO2 absorption.  Here’s a crazy fact that I remembered was on one of my dive master exams. Today, our ocean has absorbed more than 80% of the heat that has been added to the earth by changes in climate. Think about that, its insane! This change, which has led to warmer waters, has caused two major problems within the underwater world (within the realm of changes in climate). The first is coral bleaching. Coral bleaching occurs when small algae leave coral beds in response to higher temperatures. Algae make up almost an entire reefs diet, and also give coral its vibrant colors. However when algae is no longer present coral reefs become stressed, thus leading to a bleached look.  From 1998 to 2002 the Great Barrier Reef and other reefs around the world experienced catastrophic bleaching (Recorded by NOAA). The second important problem that arises with warmer water temperatures is the change in migratory patterns and lapsed spawning periods.  Species, no matter how large are simple creatures: if their habitat is warmer than normal, its time to move (most times northward). This unnatural move creates a new array of organisms in a foreign environment, greatly impacting the predatory scale as well as spawning habits.

Light at the end of the tunnel! Although Bill McKibbon’s point of view is very depressing, he does point out an interesting ideology: The world is changing and instead of trying to change it back to the way it has been in the past we as a society need to change with it. I agree with this ideology. I do believe however, that for the world to be “saved” we must create a plan of action. No matter how small, we can make a difference in hopes that our planet will one day be healthy and happy again :)