Environment & Energy

IDemo

(16,926 posts) Mon Jul 9, 2012, 12:31 PM Jul 2012

Top marine scientists warn reefs in rapid decline

More than 2,600 of the world’s top marine scientists Monday warned coral reefs around the world were in rapid decline and urged immediate global action on climate change to save what remains.

The consensus statement at the International Coral Reef Symposium, being held in the northeastern Australian city of Cairns, stressed that the livelihoods of millions of people were at risk.

Coral reefs provide food and work for countless coastal inhabitants globally, generate significant revenues through tourism and function as a natural breakwater for waves and storms, they said.

The statement, endorsed by the forum attendees and other marine scientists, called for measures to head off escalating damage caused by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing and pollution from the land.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/07/09/top-marine-scientists-warn-reefs-in-rapid-decline/

6 replies

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Top marine scientists warn reefs in rapid decline (Original Post) IDemo Jul 2012 OP

K&r tk2kewl Jul 2012 #1

I am all for saving the reefs RobertEarl Jul 2012 #2

Don't forget that acidification of oceans is a big cause of this decline caraher Jul 2012 #3

My point? RobertEarl Jul 2012 #4

My point is that you need to actually understand something to criticize it intelligently caraher Jul 2012 #5

that is what I figured RobertEarl Jul 2012 #6

tk2kewl

(18,133 posts)

1. K&r

Reply to IDemo (Original post)

Mon Jul 9, 2012, 06:25 PM

Jul 2012

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)

2. I am all for saving the reefs

Reply to IDemo (Original post)

Mon Jul 9, 2012, 07:26 PM

Jul 2012

What can i do?

Maybe we could put nukes along the shorelines and use them to make huge water coolers? Wait, nukes make hot water, right?
Scratch that.

I know, i know. We can all give up the comforts and live in grass huts. Except building codes won't allow that. Scratch that, too.

I'm all out of ideas. Am willing to listen to some good ideas.
Hello?!?! Is this thing on? Can anybody hear this?

caraher

(6,279 posts)

3. Don't forget that acidification of oceans is a big cause of this decline

Reply to RobertEarl (Reply #2)

Tue Jul 10, 2012, 04:06 PM

Jul 2012

It's safe to say that as prodigious as all thermal power plants' cooling needs are, nuclear power plants' need for cooling water is not to blame for the troubles of our coral reefs. The first two mechanisms for imperiling reefs mentioned, increasing ocean temperatures and acidification, both stem from adding carbon to the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels.

I have no idea what point you think you are trying to make by even bringing up nuclear power as a reaction to this...

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)

4. My point?

Reply to caraher (Reply #3)

Tue Jul 10, 2012, 04:15 PM

Jul 2012

Technology is what got us into this mess and technology ain't gonna get us out. But i could be wrong?

I have seen this day coming for 30 years. I am preparing to survive.

Now what is your point? Do you even have a point?

caraher

(6,279 posts)

5. My point is that you need to actually understand something to criticize it intelligently

Reply to RobertEarl (Reply #4)

Tue Jul 10, 2012, 10:24 PM

Jul 2012

Unless you found a way to post without using electronics, a blanket condemnation of technology on an Internet forum strikes me as possibly a wee bit hypocritical. Even societies that seem "primitive" to Western eyes have their technologies; the only discussion worth having is which ones to develop and which ones to abandon. Pretending you can have a society with no technology is as fruitless as imagining a society with no culture.

RobertEarl

(13,685 posts)

6. that is what I figured

Reply to caraher (Reply #5)

Tue Jul 10, 2012, 10:45 PM

Jul 2012

Last edited Tue Jul 10, 2012, 11:58 PM - Edit history (1)

You just want to hassle me. Get in line.

This here tech is good for communicating. Coal and nuke type techs is what got society into the shit, and more of it isn't going to get us out.

Besides my obvious sarcasm which went right over your head, my point is that i don't have a fucking clue what this society is going to do, because we are stuck in a mode of thinking that is/has been leading us right into disaster.

Like someone really fucking smart was quoted as saying, and i'm paraphrasing it badly: the next society will use rocks as tech to make World War 4.

I understand the need for optimism from some'a'one of you, but i am afraid that is all ya got. Or am i wrong?

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