Are the world's oceans on the brink of disaster?
The rate at which carbon is being absorbed by the ocean isalready far greater now than at the time of the last globally
significant extinction of marine species, some 55 million years
ago, when up to 50% of some groups of deep - sea animals were
wiped out.
An international panel of marine experts warns in a report released
today that the world’s ocean is at high risk of entering a phase of
extinction of marine species unprecedented in human history.
The preliminary report arises from the first ever interdisciplinary
international workshop to consider the cumulative impact of all
stressors affecting the ocean. Considering the latest research
across all areas of marine science, the workshop examined the
combined effects of pollution, acidification, ocean warming,
overfishing and hypoxia (deoxygenation).
The scientific panel concluded that:
The combination of stressors on the ocean is creating the
conditions associated with every previous major extinction of
species in Earth’s history
The speed and rate of degeneration in the ocean is far faster than
anyone has predicted
Many of the negative impacts previously identified are greater than
the worst predictions.
Although difficult to assess because of the unprecedented speed of
change, the first steps to globally significant extinction may have
begun with a rise in the extinction threat to marine species such
as reef - forming corals
Dr Alex Rogers, Scientific Director of the International Programme
on the State of the Ocean (IPSO) which convened the workshop
said:
“The findings are shocking. As we considered the cumulative effect
of what humankind does to the ocean the implications became far
worse than we had individually realized. This is a very serious
situation demanding unequivocal action at every level. We are
looking at consequences for humankind that will impact in our
lifetime, and worse, our children’s and generations beyond
that.”
Marine scientists from institutions around the world gathered at
Oxford University under the auspices of IPSO and the IUCN. The
group reviewed recent research by world ocean experts and found
firm evidence that the effects of climate change, coupled with
other human - induced impacts such as over - fishing and nutrient
run - off from farming, have already caused a dramatic decline in
ocean health.
Increasing hypoxia (low oxygen levels) and anoxia (absence of
oxygen, known as ocean dead zones) combined with warming of the
ocean and acidification are the three factors which have been
present in every mass extinction event in Earth’s history.
There is strong scientific evidence that these three factors are
combining in the ocean again, exacerbated by multiple severe
stressors. The scientific panel concluded that a new extinction
event was inevitable if the current trajectory of damage
continues.
As examples, the panel point out:
The rate at which carbon is being absorbed by the ocean is already
far greater now than at the time of the last globally significant
extinction of marine species, some 55 million years ago, when up to
50% of some groups of deep - sea animals were wiped
out.
A single mass coral bleaching event in 1998 killed 16% of all the
world’s tropical coral reefs.
Overfishing has reduced some commercial fish stocks and populations
of by - catch species by more than 90%.
New science also suggests that pollutants including flame retardant
chemicals and synthetic musks found in detergents are being traced
in the Polar Seas, and that these chemicals can be absorbed by tiny
plastic particles in the ocean which are in turn ingested by marine
creatures.
The experts agreed that adding these and other threats together
means that the ocean and the ecosystems within it are unable to
recover, being constantly bombarded with multiple attacks.
The report sets out a series of recommendations and calls on
states, regional bodies and the United Nations to enact measures to
better conserve ocean ecosystems, and in particular demands the
urgent adoption of better governance of the largely unprotected
high seas which make up the majority of the world’s ocean.
Dan Laffoley, Marine Chair of IUCN’s World Commission on protected
Areas and Senior Advisor on Marine Science and Conservation for
IUCN, and co - author of the report, said:
“The world’s leading experts on oceans are surprised by the rate
and magnitude of changes we are seeing. The challenges for the
future of the ocean are vast, but unlike previous generations we
know what now needs to happen. The time to protect the blue heart
of our planet is now, today and urgent.”
The report’s Executive Summary, entitled “International
Earth System expert workshop on ocean impacts and stresses”, as
well as case studies on its main findings, images and AV
soundbites, are available
athttp://www.stateoftheocean.org/
Source: climateandcapitalism.com
