Human Impact on Ocean Ecosystems: The Role of Bluefin Tuna Consumption and Hurricane Energy Utilization
OCEANS UNDER SIEGE: THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF HUMAN IMPACT
Let's talk about the grand ol' blue ocean - a mighty mass that's home to more species than all of humanity combined. Once, we might've believed our impact was insignificant, dwarfed by cosmic forces and Earth's internal mechanics. But the truth is, we're not so tiny after all.
We're a cog in nature's intricate machine, carving our path through its delicate balance. Our demands, our desires, and our waste have tipped the scales, sending ripples through the World Ocean that reverberate far and wide.
HUMANITY AS NATURE'S ACCELERANT
Throughout Earth's story, our planet has leapt from ice ages to greenhouse gases, constantly evolving its climate. But the speed and magnitude of change we're witnessing now are unlike anything seen in the past hundred thousand years. And it's all thanks to us, says oceanographer Alexander Osaichiev.
While the Earth's atmosphere has been a dance of carbon dioxide, methane, and carbon monoxide emissions, a balanced equilibrium once kept them in check. But as we industrialized, we overstepped the mark, adding so much of these gases that we've cast Mother Nature a discordant note.
Over the last century, the average temperature has climbed by 1.5°C. The upper layers of the oceans too have warmed, acting as a sponge for the extra heat. The consequence? The melting of the Greenland and Antarctic ice caps.
IMAGES: Shutterstock
CORAL REEFS: NATURE'S NATURAL STORM BARRIERS
Warming oceans mean rising sea levels. But it's not just melting ice, it's the expansion of warmer water that's pushing the tides higher. And for marine ecosystems, this temps change can be as unforgiving as a Mayweather jab.
Organisms on land have had eons to adapt to temperature fluctuations, but ocean dwellers enjoy a far colder, steadier environment. Even a slight increase can knock them off their moorings, forcing them to find new homes or perish.
We can see this with coral reefs, bleaching like a musical instrument left out in the elements. Despite surviving previous climate changes dating back to prehistoric times, corals are having a hard time keeping up with the current warming rates - we're losing about 1-2% each year, and if things carry on as they are, 70-90% of all corals could be gone by 2050[1].
What's at stake? It's not just about gorgeous reefs and their vibrant inhabitants – coral reefs protect coastlines by breaking waves and reducing storm energy. Without them, hurricane damage could surge, costing billions of dollars in damage[2].
BLUEFIN TUNA TAKE THE BAIT
The ocean's always been a larder for humanity, feeding our bellies for millennia. But our methods of fishing have slowly but surely exhausted many sea-faring populations.
Once upon a time, catching fish was a matter of luck, skill, and patience. But technological advancements and mass manufacturing have turned fishers into factory boats, casting nets that stretch for miles across the ocean floor[3]. This has had catastrophic consequences, leading to the extinction of species like the great auk and Steller's sea cow.
The Atlantic bluefin tuna population has plummeted by 90%, driven by high demand for sushi and steaks. Even our good pal, the beloved whale, has lost 90% of its numbers, thanks to whaling. And let's not forget the once-abundant cod, whose numbers have dwindled in the Atlantic Canadian waters, coming within a hair's breadth of extinction[3].
OCEAN POLLUTION: A POISONOUS LOVE AFFAIR
Pollution isn't a novel concept, but our knack for it has taken a dark turn in the 20th century. Not just from industrial waste, but plastic trash – the kind that doesn't decompose and hangs around like a stubborn lover, refusing to leave.
Not only does plastic float on the surface and entangle wildlife, but it breaks down into smaller and smaller particles – microplastics – that permeate the oceans, even finding their way into the food chain. These "trash islands" – clusters of waste floating in the middle of the ocean – are a chilling testament to our wastefulness[1].
It's practically impossible to remove them once they're there, and expensive too. The best solution? Keep trash out of the ocean in the first place, invest in wastewater treatment facilities, and focus on recycling[4].
FURTHER READING- Extreme Weather and "Compression" of Seasons: How the Ocean Controls Climate on Earth- Impacts of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life
[1] NOAA. (n.d.). Impacts of Climate on Coral Reefs. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_reefs.html[2] NOAA. (n.d.). How Storms Form Over the Oceans. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/ocean/qриъгч/impacts_over_ocean.html[3] National Geographic. (2021, February 24). The 20 Most Endangered Species in the World Today. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/animals/article/endangered-species-20-at-risk[4] World Wildlife Fund. (2020, November 18). Ten Toe Express – A Source-to-Sea Approach to Reducing the Impact of Plastic Pollution. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/magazine/issues/2020/11/10-toe-express-a-source-to-sea-approach-to-reducing-the-impact-of-plastic-pollution[5] NOAA. (n.d.). Deadliest Warming-Related Extreme Weather Events and Climate Signals: A Review of the U.S. National Climate Assessment 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.ncldc.noaa.gov/publications/deadliest-warming-related-extreme-weather-events-and-climate-signals-review-us-national-climate-assessment-2018
- The increasing rates of climate change, driven by human activity such as industrialization and finance-fueled energy consumption, threaten toTip the balance further in the World Ocean, causing devastating consequences for marine species and the environment.
- Renewable energy sources, like wind and solar power, could help alleviate some of these problems by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and decreasing harmful emissions that affect the climate and contribute to ocean warming.
- In the realm of industrial waste, advancements in environmental-science could lead to more efficient waste management systems, limiting the amount of toxic substances and pollution entering our oceans.
- By addressing these issues in the science and finance industries, as well as promoting the use of renewable energy, humanity can take a stance as nature's accelerant for positive change, instead of causing harm to the oceans and all the life within them.
