September 20, 2007
A Problem of Florida-sized Proportions
BY: Andy Sharpless
A chunk of Arctic sea ice roughly the size of Florida melted in just six days, according to scientists who warn that ice in the region continues to melt at an alarming rate.
Reports are already surfacing of the detrimental effects such rapid habitat loss is having on marine mammals, such as polar bears, which use the ice to hunt and migrate. Most recently scientists have said polar bear populations could drop by 66 percent by mid-century.
Virtually every day there is news about the impacts of climate change on the oceans, from whale deaths due to lack of food, to potential coral destruction from rising temperatures and increased ocean acidity, to the disappearance of cold water species because of warming ocean temperatures.
The oceans are suffering from climate change. More than ever before we all need to do our part to step up and protect them.