waves
Newsletter
Credit: Sebastian Pena Lambarri/Unsplash
Ocean heat waves bring catastrophic die-offs and distress marine researchers
As heat waves span across vast oceanic regions, they cause massive die-offs of marine species and emotional distress among scientists.
In short:
- Marine biologist Anne Hoggett observes the severe bleaching of coral in the Great Barrier Reef.
- Jennifer Lavers discusses the impact of these conditions on seabird populations, highlighting widespread starvation and deaths.
- Recent studies emphasize the increased frequency and damage caused by sudden spikes in ocean temperatures.
Key quote:
"We talk a lot about eco grief, that sense of being overwhelmed and feeling loss."
— Jennifer Lavers, coordinator of Adrift Lab
Why this matters:
As these heat waves become more common and severe, the consequences for marine life are profound. Coral reefs, which are already under stress from pollution and overfishing, face further threat as elevated water temperatures lead to coral bleaching. This not only diminishes the reef's vibrant colors but also its ability to support the diverse array of species that rely on it for food and shelter.
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Credit: Silas Baisch/Unsplash
Facing a cold shock: How melting ice could alter global climates and raise sea levels
A recent study raises alarms about the potential catastrophic effects of climate change on the Atlantic Ocean's temperature and ecosystems.
In short:
- A scientific paper warns that melting ice could lead to a significant drop in temperatures in parts of Europe, alongside other global climate effects.
- The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), crucial for regulating global climate, faces the risk of a "death spiral" due to freshwater influx.
- This scenario, while uncertain, underlines the need for immediate climate action to prevent possible drastic changes.
Key quote:
“The trickiest part about modeling this is the whole system is very dependent on how the ocean and the atmosphere interact with each other.”
— Till Wagner, atmospheric and ocean scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Why this matters:
Warmer waters can disrupt the habitats of many marine species, leading to shifts in species distributions as fish and marine mammals migrate to cooler areas. This can impact food webs and the livelihoods of communities dependent on fishing.
Ocean heat waves, which can push out fish, plankton and other aquatic life, are happening far more frequently than previously thought.
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Image by Tania Dimas from Pixabay
Earth is taking a pounding from bigger ocean waves. Why this matters
Stormier seas and larger ocean swell in recent decades are pounding Earth’s seafloor with more force, sending larger ripples through Earth’s crust — almost like a tiny, tiny, tiny earthquake.
Gavin Newsom embraces the role of climate governor with China trip
Newsom's interest in cutting emissions is natural for the leader of a state that suffers from increasingly intense wildfires, drought and storms. But it’s also smart politics.
Photo by Gustavo Zambelli on Unsplash
California winter waves may be boosted by climate change, imperiling fragile coast
Winter waves along California’s shoreline may be growing in height due to the impacts of climate change — posing a potential threat to an already vulnerable coastal ecosystem, a new study has found.
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El Niño varies more intensely now than in the past millennium
Sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific have been swinging between more intense highs and lows in the past few decades than at any time in the past thousand years.
California's climate crisis is intensifying quickly and taking a heavy toll on residents, new data reveals
California’s climate crisis is quickly intensifying, impacting every resident and “increasingly taking a toll on the health and well-being of its people and on its unique and diverse ecosystems,” new state data reveals.
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