Search:   Spelling

We have reason for great concern that our oceans are going through a rapid change that may create severe problems for ourselves and disaster for our children and grandchildren. Here are some of the problems:

"A computer simulation of the Earth's climate 250 million years ago suggests that global warming triggered the so-called 'great dying'."

"A dramatic rise in carbon dioxide caused temperatures to soar to 10 to 30 degrees Celsius higher than today, say US researchers."

"Some 95% of lifeforms in the oceans became extinct, along with about three-quarters of land species."

The ocean currents may be changing, with massive changes in our climate a possible result. The melting of polar ice has slowed the ocean currents that help balance the temperatures on earth, diluted the salt water to endanger ocean life, and caused the level of oceans to rise. The food chain in the oceans is threatened. Rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is threatening to make oceans too corrosive for marine organisms to grow protective shells, according to researchers. The loss of shelled creatures at the lower end of the food chain could have disastrous consequences for larger marine animals.

Another potential, significant threat is methane hydrates releasing from oceans due to deep ocean warming.