Rising CO2 levels is just not a nuisance for those living above the seas but for those dwelling underneath oceans as well. So far, the focus is shifted more towards the implication of increased levels of this gas in atmosphere; concerns on Global Warming thus being voiced by Governments and Public alike every other day. But oceanographers have warned that there’s another reason to check our carbon emissions as more carbon dioxide in the air means more of it in our oceans and seas. Most of us don’t realize that oceans are the absorbing-pits of this green house gas. As per an estimate, the world’s oceans have absorbed 40 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions produced by humans in the industrial age. And more and more CO2 in oceans is becoming a threat to Coral reefs - nature’s most lively and intricate architecture. Since the time Earth’s landscape comprised of nothing more than huge primordial soup in hot water bodies, these corals are being formed and today they are important for the healthy survival of other marine flora and fauna.

Some might say that, since oceans are there to suck up all that CO2 why should we bother about cutting back our emissions? The reason being ocean waters originally basic in nature (pH wise) are becoming highly acidic day by day, rendering it unfit for the creatures like corals. Already the acidity of ocean waters has shifted about 0.1 on the pH scale, or 10 percent, since pre-industrial times, and could get far more acidic by mid-century. So, besides aggravating global warming, increasing CO2 level is contributing towards ocean acidification. Scientists predict that if we continue to burn fossil fuels at this rate, the acidification process will acquire dangerous proportions. If the current carbon emission rate is not checked over the next decade, marine life including coral reefs will face extinction threat. Think about a scenario where the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) and other famous coral reefs get destroyed. Not only the loss would be incurred upon tourism industry but the ecological impact would far reaching and very drastic.

Already the situation is pretty serious with WWF clearly stating that G8 countries are unable to check their emissions. To overcome this problem measures taken by only G8 countries aren’t enough. People all over the world should unite and work synergistically to protect our natural assets for coming generations.

Via BlogWired