We have already seen the devastating impacts of climate change on weather patterns and landmasses, but our oceans and sea life are facing a boiling future. As the air temperature gradually increases, the water temperature increases as well. Even a few degrees poses large and dangerous threats to fish and marine life. Currently, our oceans hold about 90% of Earth's heating emissions, causing a rapid increase in the melting of polar caps and rising ocean levels.
Heating the oceans comes with lots of problems. Firstly, the oceans heating up can kill and stress the fish. This can lead to declining fish populations impactint the food industry. The warmer waters are also likely to kill other marine life like coral and reefs, which can damage and disrupt important food chains/webs in the ecosystem.
"Gulf Coast of Texas: Thousands of fish washed ashore in Texas due to sudden ocean warming, leading to a lack of oxygen and suffocation.”
-Simon Tye, Doctoral Student of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas
With wildlife and fish dying due to these rapid heating temperatures, we risk the possibility of extinction between animals and species. This causes problems with food chains and ecosystems all around the world, not just the United States. In 2019, a study done by World of Data reported that in one year alone, over 150,000 fish will die from rising seawater temperatures alone. Although that number is thought to be higher and is being under reported currently. Salmon are particularly sensitive to water temperature and die rapidly from small fluctuations.
Not only are fish suffering from current global warming rates but people will fall behind along with them. As fishing populations die down, people lose resources for food and starvation and hunger are more likely to occur. According to the National Library of Medicine, over 80% of Americans reported eating seafood regularly in their diet in 2022 alone. As fish continue to decrease and become harder to find, the price and cost of seafood will start to increase similar to egg prices currently.
With the death of fish and marine life, we also see an increase in death in plant life like coral and reefs. Plant life, like coral and reefs, is hyper-sensitive to temperature changes in the oceans. As this plant life provides life for the aquatic animals, with their death comes less fish populations. Coral reefs are becoming more prone to sun bleaching and stress levels, resulting in their premature death. Scientists have been working on new methods for protecting the oceans, like waste and pollution laws, as well as lower rates of carbon emissions.
Pollution in the water, like waste and plastics, are also responsible for contributing to the rising death rates of fish. Fish often consume the plastic strands and/or can get caught in the plastic. Fish have also been found to confuse the plastic as prey and mistake it for food. Unfortunately, we are reaching a scary point where not all fish are safe to consume anymore due to plastic content. By stopping pollution and over fishing, we can help better protect fish and sea life from death rates and pollution-related deaths.
Thanks for writing this, it is really well done. The pictures of the dead fish is just sad and honestly scary. The reality is that the oceans are warming as you have said. Despite the evidence people will continue to deny it and push against the truth. This will only cause more issues, like the lack of food as you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting. It reminded me of how sensitive small fish are when you introduce them to a new fish tank. The waterways around the world would have to be accommodating to different fish species in order for them to survive just like our small fish tanks must be. It makes sense that a fluctuation in temperatures and sea life would take a massive toll on fish.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great comparison. Just like small fish need a stable enviornment when introduced to a new tank, marine life depends on specific environments to thrive.
DeleteFish are so susceptible to changes in the ocean, so the picture was sad but necessary. Reminds me of the allusion to a boiling ocean in our book.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a huge issue, and it reminds me of the Great Barrier Reef, where rising temperatures are causing widespread coral bleaching. If we don’t take action soon, entire marine ecosystems could be at risk. Thanks for sharing such important insights!
ReplyDeleteIt breaks my heart to see this needless waste and destruction. Fish are animals just as any other, and it makes me so sad to see them ruined like this.
ReplyDeleteThe ocean is such an important part of the global ecosytem! Your picture of the dead fish is disturbing. I know the point Liz makes above from my own experience trying to have fish as pets.
ReplyDeleteFish are huge part of this world's diet and many people in remote communities rely on this food source. Seeing their population decrease and their habitat destroyed will have a direct impact our lives. Great post.
ReplyDeleteLike Joe said above, fish have always been extremely important to the world, seeing these pictures honestly sicken me. When I was little I was always on the lake fishing, it’s sad to see what the climate had done to them.
ReplyDeleteThe example of mass fish deaths in Texas really highlights how even a small temperature fluctuations can lead to catastrophic consequences for marine life. The ripple effects on food chains, biodiversity, and global food security are concerning.
ReplyDeleteThe alarming rise in ocean temperatures due to climate change poses severe threats to marine life, leading to declining fish populations, the death of coral reefs, and potential food shortages for humans, underscoring the urgent need for pollution reduction and sustainable fishing practices.
ReplyDeleteRising ocean temperatures damage marine life, destabilize ecosystems, and jeopardize global food security. Urgent action is required to protect our oceans and future.
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