14 DAY TRIAL // A new report made public by green-oriented organization Oceana earlier today argues that, as a result of CO2 pollution, the global food industry could soon be left without one very important source of proteins and nutrients: fish and seafood.
According to the researchers who looked into this issue, having CO2 emissions built up in the air eventually leads to drastic changes as far as the chemical composition of our planetary marine ecosystem is concerned.
Moreover, they up the temperatures of our seas and oceans, seeing how they contribute to climate change and global warming.
As we have previously reported, oceans and other similar water sources tend to absorb the CO2 that gets released into the atmosphere by various industries, and this in turn leads to the manifestation of a phenomenon known as ocean acidification.
Up until now, it has been argued that this phenomenon is likely to destroy coral reefs and impair the growth of aquatic creatures such as oysters, clams and mussels.
Still, Oceana now goes to show that ocean acidification could also force fish that are presently found fairly close to the coastline to seek refuge in colder, deeper water.
Therefore, coastal communities that presently rely on this particular type of seafood as a major source of proteins and even money could soon find themselves unable to make a living.
Apparently, Cook Islands, New Caledonia, and Turks and Caicos Islands are the three regions most likely to be hit by a food crisis should ocean acidification continue to reshape the biodiversity map of our oceans.
On the other hand, Maldives, Togo, and Comoros are the ones that will suffer the most as a result of climate change.
However, countries such as the US are alto likely to hit some very rough patches, as researchers argue that, due to rising ocean temperatures, this nation could lose 12% of its catch potential by the middle of this century.
Commenting on the findings of this report, marine scientist Matthew Huelsenbeck wished to emphasize the fact that, “Most small-scale fishermen simply aren't capable of following fish into distant waters as climate change and ocean acidification wreak havoc on coastal resources.”
Therefore, “Reducing CO2 emissions is the only way to address global ocean acidification and the primary means to stop climate change.”