marine ecosystems
Credit: Fernando Flores/https://www.flickr.com/photos/ferjflores/52731484513//Flickr
Humpbacks face new challenges as the oceans heat up
Humpback whales have made a comeback in the North Pacific, but climate change now threatens their breeding and feeding grounds, potentially disrupting decades of recovery.
In short:
- Humpback whale populations have rebounded in the Salish Sea thanks to conservation efforts, but climate change could undermine this recovery.
- Rising ocean temperatures threaten humpbacks' breeding areas, with predictions that up to 67% of their breeding grounds may become unsuitable by the end of the century.
- Changes in krill populations and shifting migration patterns could further complicate humpbacks' survival.
Key quote:
“I was mortified seeing breeding ground after breeding ground turning red in our simulation.”
— Hannah von Hammerstein, University of Hawaii
Why this matters:
Humpback whales are a keystone species in marine ecosystems, and their survival is closely tied to ocean health. Climate-driven changes to their habitats could have cascading effects on the entire food web, impacting biodiversity and human livelihoods alike. If we don’t address the root causes of climate change, we might witness one of the ocean's most celebrated conservation successes unravel in real time. Read more: Surprise! Unexpected ocean heat waves are becoming the norm.
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Credit: Steve Jurvetson/Flickr/Photo courtesy of The Metals Company
New Zealand’s treasured seabed faces threat as mining battles intensify
A new law fast-tracking mining approvals in New Zealand threatens to reignite a long-standing battle between the community and a mining company over the protection of the Taranaki seabed.
In short:
- Trans-Tasman Resources has been trying to mine iron sands off the South Taranaki coast, facing fierce opposition from locals for over a decade.
- A pro-mining government is pushing a law that could fast-track mining projects, bypassing lengthy environmental consent processes.
- The local community, including environmental groups and Māori iwi, fears the mining could devastate marine life and local livelihoods.
Key quote:
“We’re pro-business … but this [area] is far too important to wreck – [mining] is going to wreck it for a lot of years.”
— Phil Morgan, former dairy farmer and avid fisher
Why this matters:
As the government weighs economic gain against environmental protection, the battle for New Zealand’s sea-floor riches is more than just a local issue—it’s a global one, with implications for how we value and protect our planet’s natural resources in the face of growing industrial pressures. Read more: Forty years of “just around the corner.”
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Credit: Alex Traveler/Flickr
Tanker sinks in Manila Bay, sparking fears of major oil spill
A Philippine oil tanker sank in Manila Bay, potentially causing a major spill, after being battered by waves, prompting the coast guard to rescue 16 of 17 crew members.
In short:
- The Terra Nova, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel, sank after battling huge waves.
- Aerial surveys show a 2.3-mile oil spill near the sinking site, but it might be engine fuel, not cargo oil.
- The coast guard is preparing for potential shoreline contamination in Manila and considering siphoning the fuel.
Key quote:
“There’s a big danger that Manila would be affected, its shorelines, if the fuel leaks because this happened within Manila Bay. It’s part of the contingency we’re preparing for. The effect on the marine environment would not be good.”
— Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, Coast Guard spokesperson
Why this matters:
This isn't just an interruption in the local maritime traffic; it's a potential environmental nightmare. An oil spill in Manila Bay could devastate marine life, send fishing communities into crisis and spawn health risks that could ripple far beyond the bay itself. Read more: Numerous miles-long oil spills have been reported on one of Pittsburgh’s iconic three rivers.
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Credit: Guido and Carrara family/Flickr
Seagrasses aren’t the solution to ocean plastic pollution
Recent findings debunk the optimistic view that Mediterranean seagrasses can effectively combat marine plastic pollution, revealing more harm than help.
In short:
- A 2021 study showed seagrasses trapping and removing plastic from the ocean, offering a hopeful solution.
- A new meta-analysis reveals that plastic pollution harms seagrasses, reducing their growth and disrupting ecosystems.
- Experts warn that seagrasses’ ability to trap plastic may cause more harm, as animals ingest the trapped plastic.
Key quote:
“I definitely don’t want people to move in the direction of saying, ‘We have seagrass beds and they’re trapping microplastics so that’s resolving the problem.’ That’s not resolving the problem—it’s just moving and concentrating it in a different location.”
— Alyssa Novak, coastal ecologist at Boston University
Why this matters:
Seagrass, often overlooked in the grand tapestry of marine ecosystems, plays a vital role in maintaining the health of our oceans. It serves as a nursery for fish, a filter for pollutants, and a powerful carbon sink. In the fight against microplastics, the story of seagrass is a stark reminder that the small things we often overlook can have a massive impact. Read more: Plastic pollution in the ocean.
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Newsletter
Credit: Deanna Wong/Unsplash
Scientists warn of major ice sheet loss due to small temperature rise
A minor increase in ocean temperature could drastically accelerate ice sheet melting and raise sea levels much more than current models predict.
In short:
- Warm seawater intruding under coastal ice sheets melts them, creating cavities that further enhance melting and ice loss.
- Computer models show that even a small rise in water temperature could trigger significant ice sheet collapse.
- This process may be responsible for underestimating past sea level rises and poses severe future risks.
Key quote:
“With every tenth of a degree of ocean warming, we get closer and closer to passing this tipping point.”
— Dr. Alexander Bradley, British Antarctic Survey
Why this matters:
The urgency of addressing climate change becomes more apparent with each new study. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy, and enhancing coastal resilience are steps that must be accelerated to prevent the most severe outcomes of a warming planet.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Jeff Hester / Ocean Image Bank
Most marine protected areas fail to offer true protection
A new study reveals that the majority of the world's largest marine protected areas (MPAs) fail to implement effective conservation measures, allowing destructive activities to persist.
In short:
- Only one-third of the world's largest MPAs have high or full protection, covering just 2.6% of the global ocean.
- Many MPAs are "paper parks," existing in name only without any real conservation measures in place.
- Some MPAs permit activities like mining and industrial fishing, undermining their conservation goals.
Key quote:
“There are 18,000 MPAs, but a hundred of them make up 90 percent of the area. These are the big needle movers.”
— Beth Pike, director of the Marine Protection Atlas
Why this matters:
Effective marine protection is vital to meeting international conservation targets and preserving marine biodiversity. The failure to implement meaningful protections jeopardizes global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and human exploitation on our oceans. Read more: Can marine protected areas reduce marine disease?
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Newsletter
Credit: Woodwell Climate Research Center
George Woodwell, climate change pioneer and ecologist, passes away at 95
George Woodwell, founder of the Woods Hole Research Center, whose influential work shaped U.S. environmental policies, died at 95.
In short:
- George Woodwell, who founded the Woods Hole Research Center in 1985, was instrumental in shaping U.S. policies on toxic substances and climate change.
- His research highlighted the dangers of synthetic pollutants and the impact of rising carbon dioxide levels, making him a key figure in early climate change awareness.
- Woodwell's work led to significant environmental actions, including the federal ban on DDT and the establishment of the Environmental Defense Fund.
Key quote:
"I said the same things then that I say today. The climatic disruption has the potential of changing the earth as much as a nuclear war will."
— George Woodwell, ecologist
Why this matters:
George Woodwell's pioneering research and activism laid the groundwork for modern environmentalism and climate policy, spearheading the ongoing need to address climate change to protect public health and the environment. Read the announcement from the Woodwell Climate Research Center.
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