Human Ocean Footprint
Humans have left little of the planet unexploited and unspoiled. A team of researchers now have an aggregated view, showing us just how extensive our pillaging has been. The oceans, once vast, untamed and much larger than human greed, are now bearing the burden of our species footprint. The researchers looked at 17 different human impacts, including fishing, coastal development, fertilizer runoff and pollution from shipping. The results show that coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests in estuaries, seamounts, rocky reefs and continental shelves are feeling the brunt of human activity. Threatened are the North Sea, the South and East China Seas, the Caribbean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Bering Sea, along the Eastern Coast of North America and in much of the western Pacific.
The study used available data, which was limited, to create this view, and the researchers suggest that reality may actually be worse than they've shown. As climate change gallops across the globe, the researchers also expect that new areas of risk will be opened, especially in the polar regions. This all comes at a time when countries around the world are busily trying to extend their borders as new mapping is done on shed light on where continental shelves, end. Already, Russia, the US, Canada and Denmark are squabbling over the Arctic, in hopes of plundering its future potential when the ice finally melts. This shortsighted view can only lead to long term pain, and future generations will look back on us and lament our insanity.
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The study used available data, which was limited, to create this view, and the researchers suggest that reality may actually be worse than they've shown. As climate change gallops across the globe, the researchers also expect that new areas of risk will be opened, especially in the polar regions. This all comes at a time when countries around the world are busily trying to extend their borders as new mapping is done on shed light on where continental shelves, end. Already, Russia, the US, Canada and Denmark are squabbling over the Arctic, in hopes of plundering its future potential when the ice finally melts. This shortsighted view can only lead to long term pain, and future generations will look back on us and lament our insanity.
Related links:
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