New research finds by reducing our carbon emissions, we can prevent mass extinction of marine life.
In a new paper in the journal of Science, two researchers found that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to go unchecked and warming ocean waters continue to rise and become more de-oxygenated, we will see an unprecedented extinction rate of marine life.
As global carbon emissions continue to soar, global temperatures will rise. When global temperatures rise, it results in ocean waters not having the ability to absorb oxygen. These de-oxygenated ocean waters are expanding which gives marine life an even smaller area to live in oxygen rich regions.
Due to oxygen loss in the deeper regions of the ocean, more marine life are staying closer to the surface of the ocean which means a reduction in habitat, energy demands on marine life increase due to less oxygen, more marine life become susceptible to prey as well as succumb to getting entangled in fishnets at the surface and reproduction rates are reduced. Consequently, de-oxygenated ocean waters have expanded 1.7 million square miles since the 1960’s.
According to the research, if we can curb emission rates immediately, we could reduce the risk of extinction by 70%. We are right now at an all-hands-on deck on the global stage. It is all dependent on our choices because eventually, what is happening in our oceans will affect us on land. The choice is ours, let’s turn the tide.
Reference;
https://apple.news/AvOfvYb3DRv69qfZBK4Xjhw
Photo by Francesco Ungaro on Unsplash
