CO2 emissions threaten ocean life

Every country in the world is urgently discussing the direction and measures to prevent the destructive threat of Climate Change to humanity. The impact of CO2 greenhouse gas emissions in general has been mentioned, but its threat to the oceans has not been properly recognized…

In the BBC Science section, author Roger Harrabin wrote an article introducing the opinions of about twenty-two of the world's leading marine scientists on the threat of global warming or Climate Change to the oceans.

Oceans under threat from the effects of climate change. Photo: BBC.

In a comprehensive report for the media by these scientists, they warned that life in the oceans will change irreversibly unless CO2 emissions are cut even further.

Scientists stress that the climate change requirement or maximum temperature increase of 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times agreed by governments will not prevent drastic impacts on the global ocean system.

They argue that the oceans are at dangerous risk from a combination of different threats related to CO2. Specifically: the oceans are warming, losing oxygen and becoming more acidic because of CO2.

It is clear, according to those experts, that CO2, from burning fossil fuels, is now changing the chemistry of the seas faster than at any time since the Great Dying natural event that occurred 250 million years ago.

They give some concrete figures: the oceans have absorbed nearly 30% of the carbon dioxide we humans have produced since 1750, and because CO2 is a mildly acidic gas, it is making seawater more acidic. Additionally, as a result of climate change, the oceans have absorbed more than 90% of the heat released by society and industry since 1970. The extra heat makes it harder for the oceans to hold oxygen in their water.

Recent experiments have shown that while many organisms can withstand the future warming that CO2 is expected to bring, or the lower pH or oxygen levels, not all of these events will occur at the same time as they are now. Researchers note that at some point, these events will occur simultaneously, and the combination of them will create an unforeseen threat to ocean life.

According to researcher Carol Turley, the oceans are vital to all living systems, including humans. “The oceans provide us with food, energy, minerals, medicines, and half the oxygen in the atmosphere, and they regulate our climate and weather patterns.” And, as such, he calls for “policymakers to recognize the potential consequences of giving the ocean more prominence or visibility in international negotiations wherever they occur.” Unfortunately, so far, “it has barely been mentioned.”

Researchers also warn that politicians, despite their efforts to address climate change, are paying too little attention to the impact of climate change on the oceans. In fact, they have paid little attention to the rising sea levels that are wiping out islands, submerging entire territories and even entire countries.

In conclusion, here is a remark accompanied by a timely proposal by a great researcher, Jean-Pierre Gattuso, that: The oceans have been considered secondary and not formally discussed at climate negotiations so far. Now, the above correct arguments are aimed at proposing to urgently add the issue of CO2 threatening the life of the oceans to the content of the United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP-21) to be held in Paris, December 2015.

According to Vietnamnet