The colour of the oceans is changing to green from blue. In fact, over half of the world’s oceans – 56 per cent to be precise – have changed their colour in the past 20 years. The phenomenon is sending alarming signals to the scientific community as it is believed to have been driven by climate change, according to a study published in the journal, Nature. The study has analysed data collected from satellites during the past two decades and come to the conclusion that the area of the affected oceans is larger than the total land area on Earth. Researchers have not been able yet to identify an overall pattern, but they have found tropical ocean regions near the equator have become steadily greener over time.
Heat is thought to be causing the change in colour of the oceans due to increased plankton, an organism filled with chlorophyll. The situation is said to be particularly concerning because the oceans have been estimated to absorb 90 per cent of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases.
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Warmer seas pose specific dangers to both human and marine life. Already, due to climate change and greenhouse effects glaciers are melting and sea level is rising. This has caused bleaching of corals and lowering of oxygen levels causing fish to die. The Earth’s capacity to stabilise the amounts of energy entering and leaving the planet’s system is reaching its limits for current patterns of existence.
The response of various governments across the globe to the emergency shows there is no consistency in fighting the menace. For decades now pledges have been made by countries under the auspices of the UN’s climate process that global emissions would be controlled. The irony is, despite such assurances, emissions are now at an all-time high.
It is becoming abundantly clear that the countries and businesses that are heavily reliant on fossil-fuel profits will not easily forego their profiteering. Last weekend the G20 bloc of nations that accounts for 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions – were unable to reach an agreement on phasing down fossil fuels. This November’s round of UN talks, COP28, will be held in the United Arab Emirates. Sultan Al Jaber, who also heads his country’s national oil company, will head the deliberations. It is doubtful whether truly corrective measures can or will be taken as forests burn and the seas turn green while business interests of fossil fuel companies head the green action groups.
The Earth’s weather systems are undergoing severe changes. Daily occurrences all around are constantly throwing obvious warning at us. For example, this year’s summer has been witness to extreme heat not only in Orissa or India but also in Europe and North America. It did not stop there. The bizarre rains this year, stopping for long breaks and suddenly the sky opening up with copious rain coming down can be observed all across India as also the world. As a consequence of the high amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases being emitted, the atmosphere is going haywire.
Now, added to this list is rising sea temperatures which have attracted the attention of scientists lately. They have warned humanity is moving into unknown territories and the consequences could be really bad.
It is not clear exactly how marine ecosystems are changing to result in this difference in colour. It could be caused by changes in plankton communities that are critical to the marine food chain. Besides, the shift could also affect how much carbon dioxide the ocean takes up, since different types of plankton have different abilities to absorb it, researchers point out.
Another interesting drama is playing out globally. It must be noted how the governments and businesses worldwide are responding to this huge crisis. Those who should be criminally liable as high polluters, since they are financially capable and are buying up ‘Carbon Credit’ points from environment positive activities, are getting away scot free because they buy up those points. This buying of Carbon Credit is nothing but serious mischief by the rich and the powerful. Until such hide and seek games stop, the seriousness of tackling this impending monumental catastrophe will definitely befall humanity and all other living creatures.
That could, most likely, be sooner than later.
