Scientists' Study Finds "Extraordinary" Changes In Plankton & Marine Life Around Britain - Scotsman

[hatrack]

DRAMATIC and extraordinary changes in the kinds of plankton living in British waters as a result of climate change are having a profound effect on all marine life, according to a "disturbing" report. The first "annual report card" by a group of government scientists and leading academics involved in studying the sea, published today, provides an assessment of the state of UK waters. It details rising sea levels, an increase in storms and acidity and a rise in salt levels in surface sea water.

It also reports a major shift in the types of plankton - the fundamental building block of most marine animal life - found off the coast of Britain. Species found off the coast of Brittany 40 years ago have gradually drifted 600 miles north to southern Scotland as seas have warmed. And warm-water fish, such as tuna and stingrays, appear to be slowly following on behind, while cold-water species such as cod are suffering.

EDIT

Dr Morten Fredericksen, of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology at Banchory, and a contributor to the report card, said: "The changes in plankton have been extraordinary. Most people don't have much of a relationship with plankton, but away from very close to the shore, everything in the sea depends on plankton." Colder seas also tend to be more fertile than warmer ones.

EDIT

Another fear is that the eco-system could become out of sync. One reason for the decline of the cod is believed to be the differing breeding times of plankton. Warmer water plankton breed at a different time of year to colder kinds previously found in UK waters, and when cod larvae hatch, their access to their main source of food is significantly reduced.

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http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1768202006

[mom cat]

1. Asked about the attempts to reduce greenhouse gases, he said: "It's really almost pointless."

This last line in the article is what I fear most.
On the off chance that it might help, I am committed to keeping my carbon output to what the earth can absorb: 5 lbs a day,
Check your carbon "footprint" here:

http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/carboncalculator/

Once you do, you might just think about joining me in keeping the thermostat at 45 degrees in the winter and getting rid of air conditioners. That is just for starters folks.

[kestrel91316]

2. My hands go numb if it's much below 65 in my house. I keep the

thermostat low and use the electric space heater in my office (with the door closed most of the way) so it gets nice and warm in there...........

I like the website's link to Native Energy with their ability to purchase CO2 offsets by funding wind power at Rosebud Reservation and farm waste biogas energy in PA! I am willing and able to pay.

[mom cat]

3. It takes a while to adjust,. I have been going down in incriments of about

five degrees a year for the last few years. A new ice age whould be a lot harder to contend with. I can always put on more clothes. I can't make a new p;anet.

[kestrel91316]

4. The shame of it is, I'm from CO and used to be quite

thick-skinned. Years in this mild climate has made a weenie out of me.

[Ezlivin]

5. In a few more years we'll finally have enough data

to convince us that we are already dead.

I really didn't think my pessimism could get any greater, but with each new scientific article it does.