davis

1.

2.

3.

What effects would these changes in sea urchin populations have on organisms –like sea otters– that depend on urchins for food?

...or on other animals and algae in the sea urchin food web?

In other words, the extent to which ocean acidification can threaten sea urchin colonies and their implications for existing food chains is significant. The sea animals that depend on sea urchin for food would suffer hunger and a decline in their numbers, especially sea otters. This could have chain reactions since sea otters are major predators of sea urchins which are significant in marine ecosystems. Should this occur, the remaining sea otters will ride the back of the surviving urchins and possibly cause the destruction of kelp forests. The areas that will be lost are kelp forests which are home and food to many sea creatures meaning that if lost, the variation in sea creatures will go down and the dynamics of the seas will change. In general, it is evident that the various aspects of the health of the marine ecosystem would be impacted, as well as numerous specific species and the relations between them.

We don’t know enough to answer these questions right now. But we do know this: if we don’t curb CO2 emissions soon, we are likely going to find out!

Do you want to find out, or should we try to stop this “experiment” before it goes too far?

CO2 emissions, especially those that are unrestrained, stand to cause severe and possibly irreversible effects on oceanic acidification. Is it for each of us to face these ramifications or for us to do all that is within our powers to stop this “experiment” from carrying on as planned? There is no question that the choice is necessary and it is now critical.

You will recall that this level of pH drop could very well happen this century, depending on how quickly we can curb greenhouse gas emissions.

So what?

It has been projected that if ocean pH decreases this century because of unabated greenhouse gas emissions, the consequences will be very bad for marine life; particularly calcifiers that form reefs composed of calcium carbonate like corals, mollusks, and certain kinds of plankton. This is brought about by a reduction in pH levels of water hence causing decreased shell and skeletal density in the flora and fauna thus leading to falls in population densities and distortion of the marine systems and food pyramids. Overall, the prospects of losing the coral reefs would be detrimental to the chances of increasing the number of species, as well as in providing a barrier against coastal storms. Similarly, the chances of losing the shellfish species would have negative net effects such as a direct threat to the fisher industry. Rapid changes in pH also demonstrate a broad threat to the entire ocean's carbon buffering capacity promoting climate change consequences and compromising the stability of the global environment.

4.

Brandon Kirk's story is a fine example of the immediate effects of climate change on his farm in Georgia; the major problems that Kirk points to are flooding and drought. Education is the theme that he offers in his volunteering with a farming organization, the Cobb County Farm Bureau, to nurture the young generation in fighting this problem. The following points are worth noting when considering the application of scenario thinking to climate change: This brings out the fact that climate change is a reality that must be combatted now. Some of how people can contribute include, that one can minimize his/her use of the products that are affecting the environment, advocating for changes in policy, and educate others on the effects. These effects are real and have been caused by various activities we partake in as human beings; however, through collaboration, we must address the issue and ensure that our oceans do not get more acidic for future generations.

1.

2.

3.

What effects would these changes in sea urchin populations have on organisms –like sea otters– that depend on urchins for food?

...or on other animals and algae in the sea urchin food web?

In other words, the extent to which ocean acidification can threaten sea urchin colonies and their implications for existing food chains is significant. The sea animals that depend on sea urchin for food would suffer hunger and a decline in their numbers, especially sea otters. This could have chain reactions since sea otters are major predators of sea urchins which are significant in marine ecosystems. Should this occur, the remaining sea otters will ride the back of the surviving urchins and possibly cause the destruction of kelp forests. The areas that will be lost are kelp forests which are home and food to many sea creatures meaning that if lost, the variation in sea creatures will go down and the dynamics of the seas will change. In general, it is evident that the various aspects of the health of the marine ecosystem would be impacted, as well as numerous specific species and the relations between them.

We don’t know enough to answer these questions right now. But we do know this: if we don’t curb CO2 emissions soon, we are likely going to find out!

Do you want to find out, or should we try to stop this “experiment” before it goes too far?

CO2 emissions, especially those that are unrestrained, stand to cause severe and possibly irreversible effects on oceanic acidification. Is it for each of us to face these ramifications or for us to do all that is within our powers to stop this “experiment” from carrying on as planned? There is no question that the choice is necessary and it is now critical.

You will recall that this level of pH drop could very well happen this century, depending on how quickly we can curb greenhouse gas emissions.

So what?

It has been projected that if ocean pH decreases this century because of unabated greenhouse gas emissions, the consequences will be very bad for marine life; particularly calcifiers that form reefs composed of calcium carbonate like corals, mollusks, and certain kinds of plankton. This is brought about by a reduction in pH levels of water hence causing decreased shell and skeletal density in the flora and fauna thus leading to falls in population densities and distortion of the marine systems and food pyramids. Overall, the prospects of losing the coral reefs would be detrimental to the chances of increasing the number of species, as well as in providing a barrier against coastal storms. Similarly, the chances of losing the shellfish species would have negative net effects such as a direct threat to the fisher industry. Rapid changes in pH also demonstrate a broad threat to the entire ocean's carbon buffering capacity promoting climate change consequences and compromising the stability of the global environment.

4.

Brandon Kirk's story is a fine example of the immediate effects of climate change on his farm in Georgia; the major problems that Kirk points to are flooding and drought. Education is the theme that he offers in his volunteering with a farming organization, the Cobb County Farm Bureau, to nurture the young generation in fighting this problem. The following points are worth noting when considering the application of scenario thinking to climate change: This brings out the fact that climate change is a reality that must be combatted now. Some of how people can contribute include, that one can minimize his/her use of the products that are affecting the environment, advocating for changes in policy, and educate others on the effects. These effects are real and have been caused by various activities we partake in as human beings; however, through collaboration, we must address the issue and ensure that our oceans do not get more acidic for future generations.