Ocean Temperature
How is it contributing to global warming?
What is Global Warming?:
Global warming means that the temperature of our Earth is constantly getting warmer. Many factors contribute to this, one of them being the temperature of the ocean.
Rising Temperatures Around the World
Warmer oceans put coastal communities at risk, increase infrastructure costs, endanger polar creatures, threaten coral reefs and fisheries, and accelerate overall warming trend. Coral bleaching has increased significantly in the past 30 years, causing death and severe damage to 1/3 of the world's corals.
The two hot spots where we have rising ocean temperatures are Solomon Islands and Elliott Key, FL.
Solomon Islands
The coral diversity in the Solomon Islands is extraordinary (more than 500 species), but it is being threatened by rising temperatures. This is also a threat to the people because they rely on the marine life for their diet.
Elliott Key, FL
Elliott Key in Florida is where the Biscayne National Park is formed from an ancient coral reef. Corals are the heart of the marine ecosystem in the Florida Keys. The coral are very vulnerable to rising water temperatures. The smallest temperature increase can cause coral bleaching.
Elliott Key, FL
Rising Open Temperatures
Coral Reef Destruction
What the Future Holds
If our carbon emissions continue to rise at the current rates, scientists project that waters around the Florida Keys are likely to become too warm and acidic to support coral reefs.
In the Solomon Islands, scientists project that the temperatures of the water could increase 3.1-3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The availability of fish species are going to decline.
Solutions
The only way to stop the rising ocean temperatures is to cut back our carbon dioxide emissions. (Electricity, Transportation, Deforestation, etc.)
Carbon Footprint Results
The U.S. National average for CO2 emissions is about 80,000 lbs, and our average was 105,000 lbs. After planned actions, we could cut down 5,000 lbs. Our planned actions are equivalent to saving 292 gallons of gas, planting 59 trees, or recycling 1,660 tons of waste. If 100 of our friends took these actions over 5 years, their households would avoid 2,573,805 pounds of emission, which is equivalent to the emissions from burning 131,316 gallons of gasoline.