I grew up by the sea. I learned to read its many moods.
I learned when it was safe to swim in it or sail on it, and when it was dangerous.
I knew the toll it took on those who set out in small boats to harvest its bounty.
But these days you don't have to live by the sea to know it's angry.
And that ocean warming is our generation's greatest hidden challenge.
The soaring temperature of the oceans is the “greatest hidden challenge of our generation” that is altering the make-up of marine species, shrinking fishing areas and starting to spread disease to humans, according to the most comprehensive analysis yet of ocean warming.
The profound changes underway in the oceans are starting to impact people, the report states. “Due to a domino effect, key human sectors are at threat, especially fisheries, aquaculture, coastal risk management, health and coastal tourism.”
One that now threatens the very existence of millions and millions of people.
Just a brief glance at our beautiful blue planet should have served as a warning...
The ocean has absorbed more than 90% of the extra heat created by human activity. If the same amount of heat that has been buried in the upper 2km of the ocean had gone into the atmosphere, the surface of the Earth would have warmed by a devastating 36C, rather than 1C, over the past century.
All that water was saving us, but also concealing the danger. And is now itself becoming a threat to human survival.
At some point, the report says, warming waters could unlock billions of tonnes of frozen methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from the seabed and cook the surface of the planet.
Now not just threatening to cook us or drown us...
But poison us as well.
Humans are also set to suffer from the spread of disease as the ocean continues to heat up. The IUCN report found there is growing evidence of vibrio bacterial disease, which can cause cholera, and harmful algal bloom species that can cause food poisoning.
And of course this is the only solution.
“The only way to preserve the rich diversity of marine life, and to safeguard the protection and resources the ocean provides us with, is to cut greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and substantially,” said Inger Andersen, director general of the IUCN.
But will we heed the warning, when we have ignored so many others? And so much of the danger is still hidden.
Will we recognize that although it's easy to blame politicians, we are the problem?
And that only by changing the way we live on this planet, can we we hope to save it and ourselves.
And all I can say is we better, and quickly. For what is happening now is the final warning of the coming apocalypse.
And this I do know.
The oceans are my playground...
And my favourite places on Earth.
But when they get angry.
No force on Earth can resist them...
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12 comments:
You are quite right, Simon. While we should rightly condemn the lack of leadership on this vital issue by our political overseers, we too are very much to blame. Yes, we give lip service to the overwhelming dangers that are beginning to even now engulf us, but my bet is that few of us are willing to modify even a few of our wasteful and self-indulgent habits, so wedded are we to our personal comfort, conveniences and 'entitlement.' To say that I am not hopeful of resolution to the existential threat of climate change is an understatement.
It All comes down to Man's Greed! Simple!
We should have private ownership of the oceans and then the owners would be good stewards. You cant trust the public with anything. (please detect sarcasm)
I am of the opinion that the world is only facing one problem and that is Global Warming. All else are just annoyances.
On the left side of the country the tell tales are seemingly everywhere as species migrate into our waters out of now too warm southern waters. It covers the spectrum of marine life - fish, mammals and birds. The prey fish moved in and dragged their food chains with them. Migrations on this scale should be alarming but no one seems particularly concerned. We can only watch and wait for more pipelines to reach "tidewater."
Will we recognize that although it's easy to blame politicians, we are the problem?
This is only partly true. Many of us are taking whatever action we can to curb our emissions, including installing solar panels, using public transit, biking more, and so on. But no matter how well intentioned, we're beyond the point where individual actions alone will suffice.
Global warming is a problem that requires urgent government action and I see no sign at all of that happening. The Canadian government remains in thrall to the oil companies. Carbon taxes should already be here and causing economic pain. There should be no talk about pipelines because additional capacity isn't needed if we're leaving oil in the ground. Subsidies to the oil and gas sector should be ended and ramped up for renewable energy. None of that is happening. Even suggesting it is well outside "mainstream" thought.
The current government is on a path to great destruction. As Neil Young once put it, "we've got a kinder gentler machine gun hand."
hi Lorne...I don't mean to suggest that our political leaders shouldn't be pressured to do the right thing, but they can only go as far as their supporters will let them. And the sad truth is that if you look at the polls, Canadians are clearly not prepared to make the necessary sacrifices. Not prepared to give up their cars, or damage their standard of living. I'm hoping the extreme heat we have been enduring in places like Toronto, will make them wonder what might happen if it gets any hotter. But I'm not optimistic...
hi Kathleen...yes I'm afraid it does. We want to have our cake and eat it, and most of us are not prepared to change our lives. There will come a point when we realize we have no choice, but let's hope it's not too late...
hi Steve...big business already acts like it owns the seas, overfishing is just one example. But as I said in my post, screw with the oceans and you will pay for it...
hi jrkrideau...I think you're right, it is the biggest threat humans face, and only nuclear war can match its horror...
hi Mound...yes, the situation in the equatorial regions is alarming, with most fish species expected to abandon that area in just twenty years. Which since so many people who live there depend on the sea for food is going to cause mass hunger. But what can we do about pipelines, when in places like British Columbia they are still providing fuel to so many cars and businesses. When I see with my own eyes what is being done in places like Scotland to build up green energy sources, we need to step on the has in this country or we are going to be left behind choking in our own fumes...
hi anon...look as I told Lorne, I'm not suggesting that we don't pressure governments to do the right thing. But the problem is not enough people in this country want to do that. They don't want to change their way of life, or give up their cars, or dent their standard of living. And as long as they don't governments will not push things as far as they should...
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