The Green Page:

The Oceans We Knew Are Already Gone

Research predicts that by the century's end, the ocean could face constant heat waves due to greenhouse gas emissions, leading to stronger hurricanes, rising sea levels, and harsh conditions for marine life. 

Climate projections until 2100 are used by policymakers to understand near-future changes, highlighting the urgency as these changes will affect generations alive today.

Over centuries, the effects on Earth's oceans could be profound, with visible changes from space such as altered polar regions due to melting ice and unfamiliar coastlines due to sea level rise. 

The Atlantic's crucial current system may weaken, affecting marine ecosystems and climate. Marine life may migrate towards cooler waters as warmer seas absorb less oxygen and hinder nutrient circulation, potentially leading to significant ecosystem reorganization and fisheries collapse. 

Ocean acidification, caused by absorbing CO2, threatens marine life by affecting their ability to grow shells and skeletons, with coral reefs at risk of disappearing by 2100. There's uncertainty about when oceans may stop absorbing CO2, but the long-term impact of current emissions is deemed "effectively permanent," with a potential return to preindustrial conditions only after thousands of years. 

This highlights the enduring impact of human-induced climate change on Earth's oceans, a stark reminder of our influence on the planet's future and its unique marine environments.