A recent U.N. report stated that rising carbon dioxide emissions are making the world’s oceans more acidic, which may mean disaster for marine life. The report was released in Brussels on Friday and carries the toughest U.N. warning about the impacts of global warming. Australian lead author on the Polar Regions, Harvey Merchant, stated that his researched showed a high take-up of carbon dioxide by polar emissions. He also stated that these take-ups were producing significant changes in several species.
Since cold waters absorb more carbon dioxide than warm waters, species such as sea snails, some algae, and single-celled animals are being greatly affected. Because these species rely on calcium carbonate for their shells to develop, according to Merchant, the acidic waters are inhibiting calcium carbonate formation and putting species at risk.
It is not known how long it would take for these effects to be reversed. A report released in 2005 by Royal Society stated that there was no known way to reverse the effects once the ocean had absorbed the carbon dioxide. It would take nature thousands of years to reverse the process on its own.
The first report by the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted more severe rains, melting glaciers, droughts, heat waves, and rising sea levels. Carbon dioxide levels are set to grow rapidly for the next 50 years as long as the world continues to consume fossil fuels.
Experts also state that many tourist locations be wiped off the map due to warmer weather, rising oceans, and more intense storms. This is especially true for Maldives’ island chain, home to such tourist spots as Goa, which is only 5 feet above sea level.
Goa isn’t the only tourist location in trouble. Climate change may also devastate Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The 2,300 km reef is Australia’s top tourist attraction and generated $4.5 billion for the economy. The Centre for Future Studies in September listed Goa and the Great Barrier Reef as one of the top ten tourist attractions to be taken off the map by 2020.
Japan’s Okinawa islands are also facing a similar story. Divers report increased bleaching of the corals. Bleaching is when the corals slowly turn white due to extreme stress. Corals rely on a symbiotic relationship with photosynthesizing unicellular algae called zooxanthellae that live within their tissues. Under stress, corals release zooxanthellae, which give them their distinct color.
Himalayan ski resorts are also in trouble, as higher temperatures mean less skiing days. A forecaster with Japan’s meteorological Agency reported declining snow falls in parts of northwest and northern Japan, where man ski resorts are located.
