Climate change has been a huge topic of conversation for decades now, but despite this, it’s still widely misunderstood. From its causes to its effects, it’s sometimes confusing to know what is down to climate change and what can be explained by other meteorological phenomena.
In this blog, we’ll break down the information into easy-to-digest sections to explain what climate change is, its causes, its effects, and what can be done to mitigate or reverse it.
What is climate change?
On Earth, we have seasons that affect our weather. In simple terms, the tilt of the Earth and the distance from the sun affect how hot or cold it is at a particular time of year.
Climate change is the blanket term given to the long-term change in natural temperatures, primarily caused by human activity. Climate change does happen naturally, through things like natural disasters, but it’s now happening at a much faster rate than before.
The changes we’re seeing now are caused by an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, causing the Earth to heat up.
What causes climate change?
As we mentioned, climate change today is caused primarily by human activity, but to really understand it, we need to look deeper.
You might have heard that exhaust gases from cars cause climate change – and that’s true, but it’s only part of it.
Industrial uses of fossil fuels, like burning coal for energy, contribute a huge amount of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
Farming also plays a large part. Animals release a lot of methane when they trump and burp, and because of the ever-increasing population, we need more and more animals for food. So with more animals being bred to cope with the increasing population, methane levels are rising.
When plants respirate, they convert CO2 (carbon dioxide – a greenhouse gas) into oxygen and water vapour. Over the past 100 years, humans have cut down a huge number of trees to make way for farming, housing and other industrial uses. This reduces the planet’s ability to deal with greenhouse gases.
This warmer climate might sound like a good thing, especially if you live in a mild climate, like the UK, but it’s causing devastating weather changes, the icecaps are melting, and sea levels are rising.
How does climate change affect the ocean?
Imagine if you were in your house during the summer. It’s warm, but there’s a breeze running through the house, and you’re comfortably enjoying a cold drink. Now, imagine someone turning the heating on. Suddenly, you’ve gone from leisurely sipping a drink to dripping with sweat, unable to cool down. In your case, you can just turn the heating off, but the animals and plants in the ocean can’t do that.
Ocean creatures are very sensitive to small changes in the water they inhabit, from the temperature to the acidity and the chemical balance. Unfortunately, the animals and plants in the ocean can’t just get up and turn the heating off, so they’re unable to survive in the ocean. This has devastating consequences for not just the ocean but the entire planet.
Warming seas
The ocean is an enormous natural heat absorber, and as the planet warms up, so does the sea. This temperature rise has a huge effect on marine creatures.
Many species, particularly those in polar or deep-sea environments, are adapted to living in cooler waters. When the temperature creeps up, their bodies struggle to cope. This can affect their feeding, breeding, immune systems and even their ability to breathe, as warmer water holds less oxygen. Tropical fish are also affected by warming waters, despite being adapted to live in warmer waters.
Coral bleaching
In tropical seas, one of the most visible effects of rising temperatures is coral bleaching. Corals are actually tiny animals that live in a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae, which give them their vibrant colours and supply them with food.
When the ocean water gets too hot, the coral becomes stressed and expels the algae, causing it to turn brilliant white, or “bleach.” If the temperature stays high, the coral can eventually die, leading to the loss of entire reef ecosystems. This isn’t just detrimental to the coral; it’s also a worrying sign for the fish whose diet and protection rely on the coral reefs.
Rising sea levels
As the Earth heats up, the massive ice sheets and glaciers at the poles melt quickly. This additional water flows into the ocean, causing sea levels to rise. For coastal wildlife, this is a serious problem.
Rising seas change the shape of the shoreline, flooding low-lying habitats like salt marshes and mangrove forests. These areas are vital nurseries and feeding grounds for countless fish and birds, so their loss has a catastrophic effect on the food chain.
Ocean acidification
You’ve learned that one of the main causes of climate change is an increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. The ocean absorbs a significant portion of this CO2, which actually helps slow down global warming. However, when it dissolves in seawater, it triggers a chemical reaction that makes the ocean more acidic.
This acidification is highly damaging to marine animals that rely on calcium carbonate to build and maintain their shells and skeletons. Creatures like crabs, clams, oysters, and even tiny plankton struggle to survive when the water is too acidic, which then impacts the many animals that feed on them to survive.
Animals affected by climate change
Animals all over the world, both on land and in the ocean, are struggling to adapt to the changing climate. A common and devastating result is the loss of habitat as their homes disappear or become unsuitable. This leads to challenges with their food supply, as the plants and prey they rely on are also affected by climate change.
We can explore this further by looking at how different groups of animals are feeling the impact.
Mammals
- Loss of hunting environment (melting ice caps for polar bears).
- Loss of food sources through premature migration.
- Deforestation leads to a loss of habitat for animals like monkeys.
Fish
- Less oxygen in the water, so fish can struggle to breathe in warm water.
- Migration can lead to a loss of food sources.
- Coral bleaching leads to a loss of habitat.
Amphibians
- Drying out the amphibians’ permeable skin.
- Shorter hibernation process, making them susceptible to predators
- Lower survival rate of hatchlings.
Insects
- Insect larvae hatching too early, missing the window for specific plants.
- Failing plant populations lead to a lack of food for insects like bees and butterflies.
Reptiles
- Too much heat can be dangerous for the cold-blooded reptiles.
- For animals like turtles and crocodiles, the heat of a nest can determine the sex of their young. A warm nest usually produces more females, leading to a sex imbalance in the ecosystem.
Birds
- Heat stress affects birds’ ability to survive and care for their young.
- Longer days caused by the slowing of the Earth’s rotation are beginning to affect birds’ ability to detect the time of year to migrate.
It’s a difficult truth that many species are at risk of extinction as a direct result of climate change, but by caring for the environment, every one of us can help protect them.
What can we do to help?
Climate change is a huge challenge, but the good news is that everyone can help reduce it, even children. We can all take practical, simple actions in our daily lives that collectively make a world of difference.
Here are a few easy ways you and your family can become heroes for the planet:
- Recycling and reducing plastic waste, making sure it doesn’t end up in our seas.
- Walking, cycling, or using public transport instead of driving whenever you can.
- Turning off lights and taps when you aren’t using them to save energy and water.
- Eating more locally grown food reduces the energy needed for transport.
- Joining or supporting local beach cleans and conservation projects to keep our coastlines clean and healthy.
Tynemouth Aquarium’s efforts against climate change
At Tynemouth Aquarium, we’re actively involved in ocean conservation because we see the effects of climate change firsthand. We participate in ongoing initiatives such as beach cleans along the coast to collect litter and prevent ocean pollution, protecting the habitats of our local marine life. We also run a Seal Hospital where we rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured seals that have been affected by pollution or habitat loss.
By visiting Tynemouth Aquarium, you’re directly helping to support these important conservation projects. Your ticket contributes to the vital work we do every day. By working together, we can protect the oceans and their amazing animals for the next generation.