Climate Change and the Marine Environment Sixth class Scoil An Spioraid Naoimh

Oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface Oceans absorb up to 30% of the CO2 we produce

Ireland has 900 miles of coastline 149 beaches in Ireland were awarded a blue flag in 2017.

There are many threats to our oceans. Over fishing Oil spills Pollution Climate Change

Climate change is real The Planet Earth is warming up faster than ever before. The planet has warmed by an average of 10C in the past century 2016 was the warmest year on record

What is making the earth’s climate warmer? Burning fossil fuels

Cutting down forests Forests absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide The Amazon rainforest is so large and efficient it is often called ‘the lungs of the Earth’. Many rainforests are being cut down

Breeding cattle Cows’ eating habits contribute towards greenhouse gases There are almost 1.5 billion cows releasing methane gas into the atmosphere

CO2 emissions from cars and other forms of transport Transport represents almost a quarter of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions

This is known as GLOBAL WARMING. Increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, means more heat is trapped making the Earth warmer. This is known as GLOBAL WARMING. CO2 emissions from cars

So what is happening to our oceans?

Coral Reefs Coral is very sensitive to changes in temperature. With increased ocean acidification, corals cannot absorb the calcium carbonate they need to maintain their skeletons The stony skeletons that support corals and reefs will dissolve. Coral bleaching occurs when corals face unusual levels of stress from man-made global warming.

Coral bleaching

Melting polar ice

Rising sea levels Average sea level around the world rose about 20 cm in the past 100 years By 2050 many cities may require seawalls to survive Many communities will be forced to move

Some marine species may lose their homes Penguins in the Antarctic In 2017 a colony of about 40,000 Adélie penguins in Antarica has suffered a “catastrophic breeding event” – all but two chicks have died of starvation this year.

Polar bears in the Arctic Polar bears rely heavily on the sea ice environment for travelling, hunting, mating, resting and feeding (mainly seals).

Sea turtles have lost their nesting habitats Rising sea levels from melting polar ice is resulting in the loss of beach and sea turtle nesting habitat. Weather extremes due to climate change resulting in more frequent and severe storms - flooding sea turtle nests. Hotter sand from rising temperatures results in decreased hatching rates or complete nest failure.

New species off our shores Portuguese Man – of – War New whale species Two new species of shrimp-like.

Shellfish under threat from acidic oceans Our oceans are becoming more acidic as they absorb and store the increasing load of carbon dioxide humans pump into the atmosphere. Mussels are struggling to build their carbonate shells.

Storm weather – destroying our coastline and coastal habitats

Climate change is real 93% of climate change heat is being absorbed by the ocean Letting rapid ocean change continue is not an option, not if we want to continue to live on planet Earth. 

TAKE ACTION NOW Be more energy aware We need to burn less fossil fuels We need to use cleaner energy

Walk, cycle or car pool to school

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle or Upcycle

Conserve water

Buy local and eat less red meat

Plant trees, vegetables and wild flowers

Two minute beach clean

We need to create awareness about the impact of climate change on our oceans

We hope you enjoy our animation to create awareness Be aware We hope you enjoy our animation to create awareness

Pledge to go plastic free By 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish  Use reusable water bottles

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