The Effects of Global Warming on the Oceans & Animals

Global warming, now more prominently known as climate change, is the altering of the climate of the Earth caused by a buildup of gases that become trapped in the atmosphere. Heat from the Sun that would normally escape into space is also trapped by these gases. By altering the atmosphere, the Earth's animals, plants and ecosystems, such as the Earth's oceans, are changed. Animals and plants must adapt to the new temperatures.

  1. Global Warming

    • The process of global warming has been accelerated by the release of carbon dioxide since the industrial revolution began. An estimated 500 billion tons of carbon dioxide have been emitted, half of which are trapped in the atmosphere, according to Science Daily. Between the years 1900 and 2011 the average temperature of the Earth has risen by around 1.5F, causing soil and ocean temperatures to rise, and polar ice caps and glaciers to melt.

    Oceans

    • The rising temperatures of the ocean have an effect on the animals and plants found within the world's waters. With melting ice caps and glaciers, the oceans of the world are seeing an increase in water levels, causing problems both on land and in the water. On land, increased sea levels are causing the rate of beach and rock erosion to increase. This reduces breeding grounds for animals and increases flooding possibilities for areas around these waters. Flooding brings with it major problems including a reduction in water quality because of impurities carried into the water.

    Plants

    • Within the ocean, billions of plants grow that have important responsibilities towards maintaining the atmosphere of the Earth by trapping carbon dioxide within themselves and reducing the amount of the gas in the atmosphere. Small plants called phytoplankton are grown in the billions beneath the surface of the ocean. These plants grow best in cool waters. Climate change causes rising temperatures and a reduction in the number of phytoplankton grown. Phytoplankton is an important part of the food chain of the ocean; a reduction in their numbers leads directly to a reduction in fish and mammals that feed on the plants.

    Animals

    • The hunting and breeding grounds of animals such as the polar bear and sea turtle are adversely affected by global warming and rising ocean levels. Polar bears rely on glaciers on which they hunt, rest and breed. As ice in the Arctic melts, ocean levels rise so the polar bears have less time to breed and rest on ice shelves. The sea turtle has been affected by an increase in temperatures on sand, resulting in more female turtles being born as higher incubation temperatures bias growth towards females. The breeding grounds of the sea turtle are also affected by beach erosion caused by rising ocean levels in countries with breeding grounds, such as the Maldives and Australia.