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Climate Change Accelerates

Global warming impedes oceans' carbon absorption, leading to ... global warming

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted May 18, 2007 9:59 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Oceans that absorb a quarter of all the carbon belched into the atmosphere every day are losing their capacity to do so, accelerating global warming by as much as 30%. New research, which focuses on the compromised ability of Antarctica's Southern Ocean to soak up carbon emissions, suggests that climate change is already decades ahead of the grimmest predictions.

The research, published in the journal Science, describes the interplay of winds and ocean currents that has led to the saturation of "carbon sinks," which bind the element and keep it from being released into the atmosphere. As oceans become saturated—at an increasing rate—scientists will be forced to adjust predictions concerning carbon emissions.

This image obtained from NASA 15 May 2007 shows what a team of...
This image obtained from NASA 15 May 2007 shows what a team of...   (Getty Images)
HMS Endurance in The Antarctic Peninsular
HMS Endurance in The Antarctic Peninsular   (Getty Images)
This picture taken 27 January 2007 in Antartica shows the French...
This picture taken 27 January 2007 in Antartica shows the French...   (Getty Images)
US NEWS MARATHON-ANTARCTICA MS
US NEWS MARATHON-ANTARCTICA MS   (KRT Photos)
This Dec.1972 photo released by NASA shows a view of the Earth as seen by the Apollo 17 crew while traveling toward the Moon. Only two dozen men, those who traveled to the Moon, have had the full Earth view. Most U.S. spaceflights have been in low orbit,...
This Dec.1972 photo released by NASA shows a view of the Earth as seen by the Apollo 17 crew while traveling toward the Moon. Only two dozen men, those who traveled to the Moon, have had the full Earth...   (Associated Press)
This Dec. 19, 2006, photo released by NASA and taken by a crew member on board Space Shuttle Discovery shows the Aurora Borealis, also known as northern lights. The long exposure on the digital still camera enabled the astronaut to capture stars and city lights. Astronaut Sunita Williams was on...
This Dec. 19, 2006, photo released by NASA and taken by a crew member on board Space Shuttle Discovery shows the Aurora Borealis, also known as "northern lights". The long exposure on the digital still...   (Associated Press)
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Climate change has affected natural carbon 'sinks'
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One Carbon Sink Is Filling Up
Der Spiegel

 
climate change • environment • global warming • Antarctica • carbon • carbon sinks • carbon emissions

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