Ocean Deforestation

We have reached a point of irresponsibility where our actions are impacting our whole entire planet and many of its ecosystems. Hurricanes and droughts are becoming more severe and constant; our coral reefs are depleting due to bleaching; sea levels are rising; and ocean temperatures and ocean acidity are increasing. These are all due to changes in our atmosphere and the level of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, especially considering the ocean is a giant sponge that sucks up carbon dioxide.

Our coral reefs are some of the most extravagant ecosystems on our planet. Not only are they beautiful but they are also extremely beneficial to maintaining a proper coastline. However, many factors are threatening these wonderful aspects of nature and

The sea surface temperature increased at an average rate of 0.13 ℉ per decade, which is higher than any other time since observations began in 1880. However, these changes do vary regionally, a few areas in the North Atlantic have experienced cooling. This variation is due to ocean circulation pattern that transport warm and cold water around the globe while changing ocean waters to be with warmer or cooler. These variations in temperature can affect what species of plants, animals, and microbes are present in an area, which can also mean that the organisms that are currently in an area that drastically changes may have to learn to adapt quickly to their new environment. Reduced circulation patterns that bring nutrients from the bottom of the deep sea to surface waters could result in the decline in fish populations. The migration and breeding habits of animals may also change due to this change in temperature because certain species only migrate based off of a certain temperature or their natural way may not be suitable for them to travel due to the temperature conditions. Harmful algae blooms, such as the red tide, can change in frequency and intensity. Increases in sea surface temperature have led to an increase in the levels of atmospheric water vapor. Storm tracks could shift due to the changes in sea surface temperature,

The global average sea level has increased by eight inches since 1880. Shrinking land ice as contributed to about half of the total sea level rise from between 1972 and 2008. Increased heat is causing glaciers and polar ice caps to begin to melt, as well as the massive ice sheets that cover Greenland and Antarctica. The meltwater from above and the seawater from below is seeping through the ice sheets, causing ice streams to move more quickly into sea since they are now lubricated more. Also, the higher sea temperatures are causing the ice shelves that jet out from Antarctica to weaken and break off since they are being melted from below. In addition to the melting land ice, thermal expansion is another factor that is causing our sea levels to rise. About half of the century’s rise in sea level is due to the fact that the warmer oceans are expanding and taking up more space. The annual rate of rise over the past twenty years has been around 0.13 inches a year, which is twice the average speed of the previous years. It is said that the oceans can potentially rise by 11 to 38 inches by the year 2100. If the seawater reaches too far inland it can be potentially dangerous to ecosystems on land and the well-being of our own population. The farther inland the water goes, there’s a greater chance of the waters causing dangerous erosion, wetland flooding, agricultural soil contamination, and the loss