Published: 30.05.24
Our beaches are magnificent special places, which deserve our respect and consideration aren't they? There's lots of talk right now about how our Oceans are at risk. Here we'll demystify some of the jargon to help you help our seaside.
When you get to the beach, if you pick up a small empty seashell and take it home, you can see how our oceans are being affected by climate change. Place your chosen shell in a glass of vinegar and watch what happens. The shell will actually dissolve! This is the same effect that is happening in our oceans - here's why. In our modern world most of our energy comes from burning things, and unfortunately the burning process produces a colourless gas called carbon dioxide. We don't really notice this in everyday life, because we can't see it unless we have a special camera.
Carbon dioxide blows across the oceans and mixes with sea water to make carbolic acid. We hear about this when the news talks about coral reef bleaching - similar to our own experiment only much, much bigger. For many years, the seas have protected us and the rest of the planet from life threatening climate change, but with more carbon dioxide going into the air each year we are now reaching the tipping point where life at the lowest point of the food chain ends, and the seas will die. This is because fish depend on plants like seaweed and animals like plankton, insects, crustaceans and mollusks.
The good news is we can do something about it. Here are a few things you can do to make a difference:
Consider going to the beach by train or by a vehicle not powered by fossil fuel such as an electric car.
Eat less beef. I love a minute steak in a baguette, but if forced, I could have a meat free Monday
Plant a tree. One tree will take in carbon and produce oxygen instead
These small acts will help us all and the sea creatures breathe better.
Whatever you do, have a lovely summer.
Stop Press :The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ruled that carbon dioxide is an ocean pollutant. The Copernicus Climate Change Service found sea surface temperatures hit a monthly record in April for the thirteenth month in a row.
Komentarze