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James A. Carton
physical oceanographer



Why should we care about the World Ocean?

  • The Ocean contains most of the planet's available carbon dioxide and absorbs 30% of its annual increase.
  • The Ocean stores most of the excess heat captured by rising greenhouse gasses, delaying the true impact of global warming.
  • Ocean plankton produce half of the planet's oxygen. The ocean fish catch is equal in importance to global poultry production.
  • The Ocean is changing. The excesss heat is warming the Ocean. This warming is causing the Ocean to expand, contributing to sea level rise. The increase in carbon dioxide is causing the Ocean to become more acidic, the consequences of which we do not understand. Ocean fisheries are declining due to massive overfishing and nutrient pollution.
  • The most dramatic changes are ocurring in the Arctic.

    Hasn't the Earth's climate always been changing? Can't we adapt?

    Yep, the planet has experienced dramatic climate change, but nothing bigger than an ice age since humans have existed and not even small changes since the development of agriculture. When you think about adaptation imagine playing musical chairs with 7.6 billion neighbors.

    Can we geoengineer our way out of climate change?

    We've learned a lot about the climate system, but there is much we still do not know. And we do not know enough to start tinkering. After all, we'll need to live with our mistakes.

    An economist/politician/cable newscaster has assured me that the human impact on the Earth (of which rising greenhouse gasses is one factor) is overblown. Who do I believe?

    I tell my kids if you have a medical concern talk to a medical doctor. If you have a climate concern talk to a climate scientist.

    Sea level rise in Maryland?

    Click here to see the annual sea level record at the Annapolis water gauge showing a rise of 14 inches during the past 85 years, implying we've lost +20 feet of beachfront on average since 1930 (our land is flat). Suppose the rate of sea level rise doubles or quadruples?