Climate Crisis

The ocean soaks up most of the heat from global warming. The rate at which the ocean is warming strongly increased over the past two decades, across all depths of the ocean.

As the ocean warms, its volume increases since water expands as it gets warmer. Melting ice sheets also cause sea levels to rise, threatening coastal and island communities.

In addition, the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide, keeping it from the atmosphere. But more carbon dioxide makes the ocean more acidic, which endangers marine life and coral reefs.

Water temperatures significantly impact marine and aquatic life, and eventually disrupt the entire global ecosystem.

Most marine and aquatic life are adapted to a specific temperature range, and changes beyond this range can cause serious consequences. Warmer ocean waters can cause coral bleaching, disrupt migration patterns and reproduction in many species, especially marine mammals, and can increase diseases among wildlife.

Climate change poses risks to the survival of species on land and in the ocean. These risks increase as temperatures climb.

Exacerbated by climate change, the world is losing species at a rate 1,000 times greater than at any other time in recorded human history. One million species are at risk of becoming extinct within the next few decades.

Forest fires, extreme weather, and invasive pests and diseases are among many threats related to climate change. Some species will be able to relocate and survive, but others will not.