Focus on Earth: Oceans in Peril

[Frankie]

This Saturday there will be an interesting show on Planet Green.

The August 23, 2008, episode of Focus Earth features a special focus on the dangers faced by the world's oceans. From the effects of carbon emissions on wildlife to the ongoing crusade of one famous family, the image that emerges is one of the ocean's in peril.
Read more here and be sure to check out the show~
Focus Earth : Planet Green

[Frankie]

The show was good but short. They talked a bit about the acidification of the the oceans and pretty much summed it up that even if we were to stop emitting pollution, the oceans are not going to stop getting more acidic anytime soon. What were seeing now according to the show are the affects from pollution of 50 years ago. Think about it. It was minor compared to what were doing in today's world.
I was disappointed with the show in over all length. This is a topic worthy of more then just 15 minutes
I will be posting my opinion on there forum tomorrow about it.

[fatman]

July historical levels
1958 - 315.86
1959 - 316.55
1960 - 318.18
1961 - 318.58
1962 - 319.58
1963 - 319.74
1964 - 320.44
1965 - 321.39
1966 - 322.4
1967 - 322.55
1968 - 324.14
1969 - 325.88
1970 - 326.35
1971 - 327.34
1972 - 328.05
1973 - 330.87
1974 - 330.99
1975 - 331.74
1976 - 332.95
1977 - 334.79
1978 - 336.48
1979 - 337.6
1980 - 339.34
1981 - 340.71
1982 - 341.85
1983 - 343.93
1984 - 345.37
1985 - 346.49
1986 - 347.78
1987 - 349.77
1988 - 352.53
1989 - 353.79
1990 - 354.67
1991 - 355.96 1992 - 356.72
1993 - 357.36
1994 - 359.2
1995 - 361.55
1996 - 363.31
1997 - 364.1
1998 - 367.59
1999 - 369.1
2000 - 369.69
2001 - 371.51
2002 - 373.91
2003 - 376.65
2004 - 377.48
2005 - 380.6
2006 - 382.15
2007 - 384.35
2008 - 385.6
Table data source: Dr. Pieter Tans, NOAA/ESRL
That is an increase of 20 percent in the Carbon Dioxide levels in just 50 years. Just think how much the oceans have taken up in the last 50 years.

Then one must consider what effect the temperature changes do to the ocean. Sure causes a lot of coral bleaching and plays havoc with the plankton distribution. Coral reefs can not just get up and move to cooler waters.

One really needs to look at methane gas though, and not just carbon dioxide as most news media hypes address. The problem with that is the bulk of the carbon monoxide gas is coming from cows and beef cattle, and few americans are willing to give up milk, cheese, or beef. All our septic tanks do not help either.

And just think for every tree we cut down that is all the more Carbon Dioxide the ocean will take up.