The Oceans by Clarence Jackson

Today, concerns over global warming always deal with the issue of the emissions released in the atmosphere and the Earth’s climate raising temperature, a topic in Earth Science class. However, what is rarely discussed is the ocean, which absorbs almost thirty percent of the carbon dioxide released into the air. Earth science focuses on the natural sciences and the importance of the ocean to human life. Unfortunately, the amount of carbon dioxide that is absorbed by the ocean has increased yearly. Carbon dioxide dissolves in the ocean, and increases the acidity of the ocean. Increased levels of acid in the ocean hurt marine life because carbonate atoms are destroyed with increased levels of acid in the oceans. Scientists across the world have been researching the different effects of the acid in the ocean. For example, it has shown that fish near the coral reef develop osteoporosis, a weakening of the calcium in the shells. Research also shows that clownfish and krill have not developed correctly in highly acidic oceans. Also, there has been a decline in the tiny snails that are food for the larger fish in the ocean. The decline in food for larger fish makes acidity a huge problem today.

The microbes in the ocean produce about fifty percent of the oxygen we breathe. This is a significant problem for humans if the ocean is not taken care of. Also, marine life provides humans with omega-3 for an enriched diet. Therefore, the oceans must be protected and conserved. The Environmental Protection Agency has increased awareness of acidity in oceans. The EPA has encouraged coastal towns to test the acidity in the oceans. Different solutions to the acid problems have been proposed, such as creating sunshields for the Earth. However, the acid already present in the ocean is irreversible and sunshields are not guaranteed to work. The only true solution is to generate power and electricity while burning the least amount of fossil fuels. Increased air pollution that is absorbed by the ocean will not only harm the marine life, but also danger the entire human population.

I believe that there needs to be steps in preventing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the air. Besides the major problems that it causes to the Earth's climate, carbon dioxide dissolving in the ocean directly increases the acidity of the ocean. Obviously, the ocean is extremely vital for human survival. The ocean must be conserved and protected, because once the damage is done, it is irreversible. We get oxygen sources and minerals from the marine life in the ocean. Also, the ocean is used as forms of transportation and recreation. Therefore, it is extremely valuable to human life.

Haymet, Tony. "The Oceans' SOS." Los Angeles Times. 13 Dec. 2010. .http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-haymetdickson-oceans-20101213,0,956649.story

Using Waste, Swedish City Cuts Its Fossil Fuel Use (extra credit by Clarence Jackson)

Today, there are growing concerns over the burning of fossil fuels and the deadly emissions they release into the air. With the increased concerned of the effects of burning fossil fuels, Kristianstad, Sweden has turned to using manure, potatoes, cow intestines and other wastes to form biogas, a form of methane. The methane is then burned and used to heat about 80,000 homes in Kristianstad and the surrounding area. In addition to heating homes, the biogas can be used for electricity or refined fuel for cars. Since using the biogas, the city’s carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by one-quarter in the last decade. The continued reduction of carbon dioxide is a definite advantage in the constant struggle of global warming. With a decrease of the carbon dioxide emissions, Kristianstad has taken steps to limit the pollution problems all humans face today. In the United States today there are 151 biomass digesters, mainly using manure and other wastes from small farms. The United States has not developed the biogas system mostly because of the high costs and the lack of support from the government. Burning the biogas does release emissions into the air. However, the emissions are fewer than burning coal or oil would release. Wisconsin and California have pushed to create biogas plants for local farms. Today, different cities could benefit from the use of biogas fuel. Using biogas fuel emits fewer emissions than burning the common used oil and coal. Because there is growing concern over global warming, the manure and other wastes that would just decompose and still release emissions in the air are now being put to use as a burnable form of energy. Therefore, using biogas makes manure and other wastes useful. Today, new sources of energy, such as burning biogas, have been developed to help the growing problem of air pollution, a cause of global warming.

hal, Elisabeth. "Using Waste, Swedish City Cuts Its Fossil Fuel Use." New York Times. 10 Dec. 2010. Web. 12 Dec. 2010.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/11/science/earth/11fossil.html>.