During my time here, I’ve had a lot of opportunity to research the myriad devastating effects that global warming is having on this planet. I’ve always known global warming is dangerous, but some of its specific consequences, especially in our oceans, downright shocked me.
Because of global warming, ocean temperatures everywhere are increasing and seawater is becoming more acidic. The toll these changes are taking on living creatures (including our own species!) is pretty scary. The water off the coast of Massachusetts is rapidly becoming so acidic that the shells of lobsters are being destroyed. Soon, they’ll have no choice but to leave the area for safer habitats, which would severely damage the state’s famous fishing industry. And, if seawater is acidic enough to destroy lobster shells, just imagine what it could do to human skin!
Warmer waters are not directly affecting whales, but they are affecting their main food source, krill. Krill often live under sea ice, and as they are dying off as the ice melts. Krill that don’t live under the ice are migrating to cooler water and whales have no way to find them. This has been having a devastating impact on whales’ ability to reproduce. A few species, on the other hand, are thriving in these warmer waters. Jellyfish seem to be taking over parts of the Atlantic that used to be too cold for them. A few weeks ago, a type of jellyfish that had previously only been found off the coast of California were found living in Scottish waters. Two years ago, a ten-sqaure-mile mass of jellyfish attacked a salmon farm in the Irish Sea and destroyed nearly $2 million in salmon (not that salmon farming is a good thing, but it’s still scary).
It seems crazy that the problems in oceans that cover 139 million square miles are all caused by the types of fuel we’re using in our cars, but that is the harsh reality we face today. The impact that we’re having on an ecosystem we desperately need to survive is seriously making me think twice about my lifestyle and carbon footprint. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to decrease your personal impact on the oceans.
While Environment Massachusetts isn’t campaigning for ocean legislation at the moment, many other organizations here in the state are. The Conservation Law Foundation, which has an office just down the street from us in Boston, is working with lawmakers on Beacon Hill to make sure the implementation of the Massachusetts Oceans Management Act maintains common-sense environmental standards. The work they’re doing is incredibly important, not to mention interesting, so be sure to check it out and keep tabs on their progress.
The New England Aquarium is always working hard to protect ocean life and educate the public about their work. Check out their conservation Website to learn more specifics about climate change and the ocean and what you can do to help!
These organizations are doing great work, but it’s going to take sweeping changes to help our oceans. What are you doing to help? Share your good ideas by commenting!
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