Anthropogenic Factors
Ocean Acidification
The ocean is another well-recognized source of carbon storage. The ocean absorbs about a quarter of all the CO2 we release into the air. Scientists were originally happy that there was another buffer to absorb excessive carbon pollution, but new research has shown the CO2 in the water is causing other dangers, namely ocean acidification.
When carbonic acid dissolves in seawater, carbonic acid (H2CO3) is formed. Over the past 300 million years, seawater has maintained a steady pH of 8.2. However, with the introduction of large quantities of carbonic acid, the pH has dropped to 8.1, signifying a 25% increase in acidity in the last 2 centuries.
Acidic seawater impedes the calcification of marine animals, the process in which the shells of animals like coral, lobster, shrimp, and oysters are formed. These animals would have weaker or non-existent shells, making them more vulnerable or downright killing them. Not only that, but the high concentration of CO2 already dissolved the ocean prevents a large part of airborne CO2 from being absorbed, meaning there is more CO2 available to induce global warming.
And these are only the basic facts. Scientists are continuing to study what other effects ocean acidification has on marine life.
The oceans currently absorb about a third of human-created carbon dioxide emissions, roughly 22 million tons a day! If this continues, the pH will drop by 0.5 units by the end of the century. How much more can our oceans take? It is clear ocean acidification is a big part to climate change, and is something we need to stop.
Deforestation
Trees and other plant life perform the all-important function of photosynthesis, converting CO2 into energy and releasing oxygen. As well, trees and other plants are known to be carbon sinks, with trees performing much better than other plants. With the wood composing most of the tree, a forest can store a hundred times more carbon dioxide than a field the same size filled with other plants.
However, due to human agriculture and urbanization, forests are being cut down at an unbelievable pace. As of now, about half of the world's tropical forests have already been chopped down to make space for cities, residences, and livestock. In just this past minute, 150 acres of rainforest were lost in the Amazon alone. Annually, over 30 million acres of forests and woodlands are cut down.
This is a massive problem! As trees are cut down, we are losing large amounts of valuable photosynthesizing organisms. Not only that, but all the carbon they've stored inside of them over many years will be released into the atmosphere as the tree is burned or decomposes. Forest loss contributes between 6 to 12% of annual global carbon dioxide emissions, some 1.5 billion tons of this gas. As we cut down more tress, this number will only grow as the condition of our climate worsens. Initiatives are being made to stop deforestation and replant trees, but we'll definitely need more commitment and participation to protect our planet's climate.
Though a large part of today's changing climate is due to human actions, one can't put all the blame on people. Natural factors come into play as well when dealing with climate change.
Clearing land for agriculture is one of the main reasons for deforestation today.
Ocean acidification is a very real threat to marine life today. The right image shows a marine ecosystem after acidification.