I have to say that I'm torn. I heard the news about the study that was released by the International Programme on the State of the Oceans (IPSO) today and I don't really know how to react. No matter how you look at it, the news is gloomy. The situation in our oceans is way worse than scientists had thought. A combination of pollution, increasing global temperatures, over-fishing, acidification, and hypoxia are causing irreversible damage and ultimate mass extinction unless something drastic is done. Scientists warn us that the 3 main conditions that have led to mass extinction of life on Earth in the past are present now: Low oxygen (hypoxia), warming, and acidification.
Oysters are essentially already extinct. There are growing dead zones in our oceans. We've played poker with our waterways and the deal done gone down bad. Situation critical.
As someone who has been aware of the delicate balancing act we all play on this Earth, and as someone who learned a long time ago about feedback systems and inter-connectivity of all life, it doesn't come as much of a surprise to me. I've been concerned for years. I've been debating for years. I've been warning others for years. Now that the reality of what I feared is breathing down our necks, I'm not sure how to react.
I hate to be the bearer of bad new. I don't want to believe this news is true. I want to be in denial.
So for now, I will just go on trying to make a difference each and every day and hope that this news is just a bad dream.
What else is there really to do?
Read more here: State Of The Ocean: 'Shocking' Report Warns Of Mass Extinction From Current Rate Of Marine Distress
I blogged about the condition of oysters and the spread of Oyster Herpes a while back. I found the photo I used, but can't find where it originated. I am posting it here because it is such a striking photo. My apologies to the photographer and I will try to find the source. Funny, when I googled "oyster herpes" I couldn't find the photo but half way down the first page of images I saw my kindergarten picture. lol Try it. I'm the little pixie with the uneven bangs. :)
I did find out the photo credit goes to Getty Images.
