Bush plan to reduce global warming could devastate sea life

[ReefLady]

Bush plan to reduce global warming could devastate sea life

"A Bush Administration proposal to mitigate the effects of global warming by capturing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and injecting it into the deep sea could have disastrous effects on sea life, according to a University of Rhode Island researcher. Brad Seibel, assistant professor of marine biology at URI, said that while the Administration's plan is still in the experimental stage, enough is already known about the biology of marine organisms to say with certainty that the plan will harm the marine environment in significant ways.

From University of Rhode Island:

Bush Administration plan to reduce global warming could devastate sea life

URI marine biologist says CO2 injection in deep sea would alter ocean chemistry, affect numerous creatures

KINGSTON, R.I. -- November 17, 2003 -- A Bush Administration proposal to mitigate the effects of global warming by capturing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and injecting it into the deep sea could have disastrous effects on sea life, according to a University of Rhode Island researcher.

Brad Seibel, assistant professor of marine biology at URI, said that while the Administration's plan is still in the experimental stage, enough is already known about the biology of marine organisms to say with certainty that the plan will harm the marine environment in significant ways.

Increased CO2 in the oceans would result in decreases in the pH levels (the measure of acidity) of seawater, resulting in dramatic physiological effects on many species, Seibel said. Shallow-living organisms like shelled mollusks and corals are already being affected by the growing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. As atmospheric CO2 diffuses into the upper layers of the water, it inhibits the ability of shellfish to form shells and causes coral reefs to dissolve.

Deep-sea creatures are even more sensitive to environmental changes, he said. In some species, their metabolism would become suppressed and lead to retarded growth and reproduction, while others would be unable to transport oxygen in their blood."

Read full article here

[deanerk]

Unbelievable! I had to read the article twice because I thought it must be a joke the first time I read it. Seriously, it sounds like something out of a science fiction movie. It's even more rediculous than dumping garbage in space to save landfill space. The Bush Administration really wants to make sure future generations remember them!

[SOCAL-Rich]

haha, who came up with that idea I wonder?

[Witfull]

remember this come election day.

[Maxx]

Yeah, I read about that in this months Wired magazine....
Not the smartest plan ever....
Why cant we get someone in office who represents more than the extreme left or extreme right of the population???
What happened to common sense??
Sigh....When I become King......
Nick

[DICK]

Are we going to get political here??

[SOCAL-Rich]

hey I didnt vote for him! and niether did the rest of the country, LOL

[RogueCorps]

Gee... and this article from a newspage with a big Howard Dean link at the top of the page.

The logistics of even getting large amounts of CO2 into the deep sea don't seem possible. It would be nice to hear more than one point of view on this.

-Rogue

[EdgeKrusher]

let's just drop the polotics please, this will get heated real quick! we can discuss how stupid the idea is but lets not get political. Cool? If not PM and we can discuss it if you wish.

Thanks

EK

[DICK]

I agree Edge.

[mwrager]

Thank you Edge. This site has no place in it for polotics

[RogueCorps]

I thought the conversation was still civil you guys. This is an issue where politics is definitely woven into an environmental topic.

I think it's clear that this site won't ever become as aggressive as some others. I have disagreements with my friends all the time in non-virtual life. Why not here?

-Rogue

[cazoo]

I believe this plan is based on the norwegian study outlined below:

http://www.ntnu.no/gemini/1994-02E/sog_side_12.html

It is my understanding that the idea is to trap the CO2 underground. I'm not an expert though. Seems like it is a catastrophe waiting to happen. I think it is an alternative that should at least be studied- I think the Bush Administration is honestly looking into ways to reduce greenhouse gases without killing our economy. They are also investing heavily in fuel cell research. Which is my area of expertise. It seems to me we are screwed- we all like to drive our cars and heat our houses and use plastics, but we can't emit greenhouse gases, none of us want to effect ocean life, we're supposed to stay out of middle east affairs, and we can't drill in Alaska. Seems like something has to give.

[deanerk]

I agree Rogue. The conversation has been civil and this is definitely an issue that relates to and could have an impact on our hobby, not to mention the global environment.

[DICK]

RC, unfortunately not everyone can sustain a point-of-view argument without letting emotions get the best of them. We have seen it happen elsewhere. So I am of the opinion that politics, religion, and many social issues must be handled very cautiously in this media.