Grim outlook for the oceans

[Barrett808]

Beyond climate change, the acidification of the world's oceans is the "gorilla in the cupboard" which could lead to "a marine Armageddon", two science writers said yesterday.

Speaking at the Brisbane Writers Festival, Allana Mitchell and Dr Charlie Veron painted an apocalyptic vision of the fate of the oceans unless CO2 emissions are drastically cut.

Ms Mitchell, author of Seasick, said life on the planet's surface is dependent upon the oceans and human activity is changing their very chemistry.

"The ocean itself controls the carbon cycle, the oxygen cycle and the climate," Ms Mitchell said.

"The ocean contains the switch of life on the planet.

"If everything on land were to die tomorrow, the ocean wouldn't even notice, but if everything in the ocean were to die tomorrow, everything on land would also die," she said.

(more)

http://www.theage.com.au/environment/grim-outlook-for-the-oceans-20080921-4l18.html