How does climate change impact the health of oceans?

Climate change has a profound impact on the health of our oceans. The increasing global temperatures caused by climate change lead to the melting of glaciers and polar ice caps, resulting in rising sea levels and changes in ocean currents and circulation patterns. These changes disrupt the delicate balance of marine ecosystems, affecting the distribution and abundance of species. Additionally, warmer waters lead to coral bleaching and the degradation of coral reefs, which are vital habitats for numerous marine organisms. Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, threatens the survival of shell-forming organisms like mollusks and coral, while changes in precipitation patterns contribute to the nutrient runoff that promotes harmful algal blooms. These various impacts of climate change on the oceans not only endanger the biodiversity and overall health of marine ecosystems but also have far-reaching consequences for the economy, food security, and overall well-being of coastal communities that rely on the oceans for their livelihoods.

This mind map was published on 30 June 2023 and has been viewed 54 times.