“New study finds Earth’s marine life is at risk due to climate change and global warming temperature trends” – CBS News
The study argues losses could be offset by a reduction in carbon pollution
- Washington – The world’s oceans will likely lose about one-sixth of its fish and other marine life by the end of the century if climate change continues on its current path, a new study says.
- Every degree Celsius that the world’s oceans warm, the total mass of sea animals is projected to drop by 5%, according to a comprehensive computer-based study by an international team of marine biologists.
- If the world’s greenhouse gas emissions stay at the present rate, that means a 17% loss of biomass – the total weight of all marine animal life – by the year 2100.
- If the world reduces carbon pollution, losses can be limited to only about 5%, the study said.
- While warmer water is the biggest factor, climate change also produces oceans that are more acidic and have less oxygen, which also harms sea life, Cheung said.
- The biggest animals in the oceans are going to be hit hardest, said study co-author Derek Tittensor, a marine ecologist at the United Nations World Conservation Monitoring Center in England.
- It is hard to separate past climate change impacts from those of fishing, but past studies have shown places where observed fish loss can be attributed to human-caused climate change, Chung added.
Reduced by 62%