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Photo Courtesy of SurfINSIDE |
Topic of the Century:
Global Warming - An Inconvenient Truth
Coral Bleaching Events and Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly Hot Spots, 1997 - 1998
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What you're looking at here are deadly temperature changes as early as 1997. |
One direct measure of coral stress is the phenomenon of coral bleaching and mortality associated with widespread elevated sea surface temperatures (SSTs) during the last decade (Hoegh-Guldberg 1999). This is frequently associated with warm temperatures and has been widely predicted to increase in the future. Exposure for one month at temperatures 1 or 2 degrees Celsius higher than the mean averages at the warmest time of year is sufficient to cause the corals to bleach. This map shows the distribution of SST anomalies and coral bleaching events, during one of the largest El Niño events of this century, from late 1997 until mid-1998. Although some records of local coral bleaching date back decades, reports of widespread bleaching have been increasing in recent years. The most recent event was not only widespread, but was also more severe in many areas than earlier events. Actual coral death reached 95 percent in some locations. In a few places massive, centuries-old corals have died; in some other places there has now been at least a partial recovery, with loss of only a few corals.
That's only part of the story though. Along with the inability of corals to survive, comes the climb of a global equivalent of Red Tides, and an exponential jump in the number of giant jellyfish. Meanwhile, shellfish, like the reefs themselves, are unable to utilize the calcium carbonate in the ocean, unable to make shells for themselves. Lobster, Crabs, plankton... the entire ocean is affected by the pollution we're making. The ocean makes up about 3/4 of our planet. 3/4 of our globe is sick from our toxins. How much longer do you think we can afford to ignore that illness? The affects of Global Warming and Greenhouse Gases are already upon us. Record temperatures have killed tens of thousands in the past 2 years. Greenland is melting down, and suffered 32 level 5 earthquakes within its icefields. While those quakes had been rising steadily, these past couple of years are exponentially worse - a clear shot across the bow. The glaciers are melting, the seas are rising, thinned by the fresh water... and the ocean's temperatures are rising, despite the fact that we're melting country-sized ice cubes in them. |
Since 1998, we've continued to have anomaly temperatures, often much higher than those shown here. Greenhouse Gas (CO2) continues to mount and temperatures across the globe continue to rise. 2005 set records across the globe. In 2006, those records were beat again. The rise is so predictable that calling the temperatures an anomaly may not be fair or accurate. The temperature of the earth IS rising, and the cause is known. Our air pollution is causing levels in CO2 to rise, a trend that has been consistent since it was first monitored in 1958. In the past few years, though, that climb has gone from steady and gradual to enormous, and the temperatures have followed suit, directly along the exact same course. A sharp and immediate halt to the human contributions to Greenhouse Gas remains the ONLY solution. Fortunately, this solution is available to us. We CAN stop Global Warming. Please, rent or buy "An Inconvenient Truth" today. Find out that truth, and learn what each of us can do about it. |
Topic of the day:
Letherback Sea Turtle and Mega-Resorts
Leatherback turtles like the one seen here live at least 150 years, mature at 6 feet in length, can dive over half a mile deep, and can weigh as much as a VW bug! They eat jellyfish, and have been around since before the dinosaur. Development of beaches which disregards their importance is a major threat, as it breaks the precious chain of life for these gentle giants. Mega-resorts are not particularly ecologically conscious. Not only do they take over, rather than blend in with the natural environment, but they often alter the beach so that Leatherbacks and other natural life are unable to return to their ancestral homes to reproduce.
The subject bill would provide for a corridor, promoting ecologically sound tourism (eco-tourism) rather than Mega-Resorts in Puerto Rico (which is a U.S. territory). This bill could do much to save the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle, but is being pushed aside in favor of more "important" matters. Unfortunately, an ecosystem does not go on hold along with its paperwork.
An Open Letter to the House of Representatives:
The natural world does not run alongside mankind's clocks and schedules. While we appreciate that the legislature may be busy tending to other very important matters, this one ecological concern is a no-brainer, separate of partisan aspects, and is crucial to the survival of these turtles. The threat to their survival is very real, and without prompt action to protect their primary natural breeding ground, the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle (and a wealth of other species which make their home there) could realistically be gone from the earth within our lifetime. No one who has ever seen these majestic creatures in their element would want them to pass from existence. Without your help, the Leatherback Sea Turtle may be no more than a vague reference to our children, grandchildren, and all the generations to come. Extinct is forever.
I urge your support, and ask you to help the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico's government to approve House Bill 2105. This bill will designate the Northeast Ecological Corridor (NEC) as a nature reserve and promote its sustainable development as an ecotourism destination.
(Learn more about the NEC, and send a letter to the government at Surfrider)
Co-Topic of the Day:
Ocean Flotsam
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It doesn't even sound like it should refer to something real, does it? But it IS real - very real - and out of sight may be out of mind, but it's nowhere near Gone. When a cargo ship loses a container of Nike shoes, they'll float around the Pacific for years before landing on the shores of the Pacific Northwest. Plastic bags aren't quite as boyant though. They're more likely to make mayhem and kill essential marine life. There's a literal floating island sitting out there in the middle of the Pacific, with everything from running shoes to entire sections of a ship. Have a look at the chart; click on the link below for details. |
http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ocean/Trashing-Oceans-Plastic4nov02.htm
Hint of the Decade
Consume less, conserve more
Did you know that...
It takes 500,000 trees every week to supply Americans with their Sunday newspapers.
Beyond recycling, some simple changes will reduce your paper consumption:
1. Use cloth rags instead of paper towels.
2. Use both sides of your printer's paper whenever possible.
Save old computer paper and use the other side when you print out
things like online recipes, driving directions or reservation confirmations.
3. Cancel your junk mail.
http://www.theclimateproject.org/
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