Warm waters

The problem of climate change is one the world is growing increasingly familiar with, even if there continues to be a lack of awareness and even denial in some places. US President Donald Trump is amongst those who have expressed scepticism over climate change. Perhaps he and others should read the new international study published on Tuesday. The academic paper which appeared in the journal 'Nature Communications' finds that from 1925 to 2015 annual marine heatwaves jumped globally by 54 percent. The study also finds that there is a 17 percent increase on average in the length of each heat wave and a 34 percent increase in frequency. Scientists already know that 90 percent of the heat released by global warning enters the sea, causing a rise in surface temperature. While this may mean warmer waters for tourists in some areas, it also has a devastating impact on sea life and the fishing industry. In addition, aqua systems lying deep under the surface waves are badly affected causing a potentially catastrophic impact on our planet.

As a result of the growing number of heatwaves there have already been cases in which shell fish have become poisonous and consumers have suffered as a result of eating other catch from an altered sea. There has also been an impact on tourism and industries linked to it. The new data put forward by scientists suggests we need to do much more to protect our oceans. This can happen only by checking global warming. The scale of the problem has to be recognised across the globe and people made aware of what can be done to prevent it so that marine environment as well as other habitats can be kept safe. We should also remember that oceans offer a livelihood to tens of thousands of people around the world. These include fisherfolk, the collectors of items washed on to beaches such as sea weed or shells and also many others including giant trawling companies. The latest study makes it obvious how damaging global warming and ocean heat waves are for the people of the world. They need to join forces with their governments to find a way to control the growing menace.