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This article implies temperature is the culprit but I was under the impression the problem is more ocean acidification caused by co2, which happens to also caus
by npunt 6y ago
This article implies temperature is the culprit but I was under the impression the problem is more ocean acidification caused by co2, which happens to also cause temperature rise.
While temperatures have fluctuated over the millennia, the last time co2 was this high (400+ppm) was maybe 30 million years ago:
https://earth.org/data_visualization/a-brief-history-of-co2/ https://earth.org/data_visualization/a-brief-history-of-co2/
Another thing to remember is the tendency for us to compress all of history in a very short period of time, so arguments that are about 'oh x species will evolve' are more on the timescale of 1000s-10000s of years at least. Thus what we lose today are likely to never be seen again by us or any of our ancestors who understand our way of life. If enough of these events happen they can compound and lead to ecological collapse which may permanently affect life on earth and earth's ability to sustain life.
- ghastmaster 6y agoThe prevailing theory is that ocean acidification (OA) and global temperature are tied to atmospheric CO2 levels(as illustrated in image 1 in my OP). Given that relationship, any historical change in one would correspond to a change in the other.
- npunt 6y agoMaybe I’m missing something but I don’t see anything about ocean acidification in those links, only temp/CO2 correlation, and the chart of ice core data only goes up to 280ppm CO2. Since we’re at 420 now yet we have had temperatures this high before, maybe that historic relationship can’t be relied upon (as humans weren’t there the last time) and another explanation is required? See sibling comment re rate of change and time lag for species to adapt.