Copernicus: Oceans Face Multiple, Severe Pressures
Alarming news from the Copernicus Marine report: our oceans face multiple, severe pressures. Rising carbon dioxide levels, plastic pollution, and shrinking sea ice are just a few of the challenges. The Mediterranean, in particular, has witnessed unprecedented changes.
Carbon dioxide-driven ocean acidification is worsening. The Mediterranean experienced its longest marine heatwave in four decades, from May 2022 to early 2023, with temperatures up to 4.3C above normal. This heatwave led to a 75 to 100 percent collapse in mussel production in the Po River delta due to invasive Atlantic blue crabs.
The ocean has absorbed 90 percent of excess heat from human activity since the 1960s, leading to record high sea-surface temperatures and more frequent marine heatwaves. Climate-driven shifts are affecting other species, such as micronecton, crucial for both wildlife and human livelihoods. The bearded fireworm, a native Mediterranean species, multiplied during the heatwave, causing problems for small-scale fishers in Sicily.
The Copernicus Marine report, compiled by over 70 scientists from nine countries, paints a stark picture. To protect our oceans, we must address carbon dioxide emissions, monitor and control invasive species, and adapt to climate-driven shifts. The future of our oceans, and the life they support, hangs in the balance.
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