Archie Acidification, global warming’s evil twin, was perusing the newspapers and smugly congratulating himself on how well he’d kept himself out of the public eye. “Nhya-ha-ha, look at this headline,” Archie preened. “‘97 percent of climate scientists are convinced, based upon the evidence, that human-caused global warming is happening.’ Those humans are finally wising up to what’s happening to the atmosphere. Meanwhile I carry out my dastardly deeds in the oceans almost completely unnoticed!
“And here’s another one - a report from the Dept. of Defense, ‘Among the future trends that will impact our national security is climate change. Rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, climbing sea levels, and more extreme weather events will intensify the challenges of global instability, hunger, poverty, and conflict. We refer to climate change as a threat multiplier.’ Even those military bigwigs aren’t paying any attention to ocean chemistry. I’m getting away with murder - Nhya-ha-ha!”
But then Archie’s evil eye fell on still another news report. “What’s this?!? I’ve been found out!” Archie read about an international study led by Matthew Clarkson as reported in LiveScience.com. Researchers have determined the central cause of the Great Dying, a period of widespread global extinction millions of years ago. A series of spectacular volcanic eruptions spewed CO2 into the atmosphere, and the earth’s oceans absorbed much of it. The pH (acid) level of the oceans rose dramatically causing mass extinctions.
Like those volcanoes, today the burning of fossil fuels since the beginning of the industrial age is loading the atmosphere with CO2. Modern day oceans are soaking up that CO2 and making them more acidic. The effects of this can already be seen in the bleaching of coral reefs. This latest finding highlights yet another reason to rapidly accelerate our transition to fuels with low greenhouse gas emissions.
“Drat those pesky researchers!” Archie fumed! “Now those humans, even if they don’t worry much about global warming, will have another reason to reduce fossil fuel use and destroy my plans for a beautiful acid kingdom!”
Will Archie succeed in his plan for world domination? Will humans shake off their addiction to fossil fuels? How can ordinary folks right here in Iowa Co. help foil Archie’s plans? Stay tuned and find out next time how Monty Marketplace can help save the day because this beautiful Earth is our only home. We are forever…Earthbound.
“And here’s another one - a report from the Dept. of Defense, ‘Among the future trends that will impact our national security is climate change. Rising global temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, climbing sea levels, and more extreme weather events will intensify the challenges of global instability, hunger, poverty, and conflict. We refer to climate change as a threat multiplier.’ Even those military bigwigs aren’t paying any attention to ocean chemistry. I’m getting away with murder - Nhya-ha-ha!”
But then Archie’s evil eye fell on still another news report. “What’s this?!? I’ve been found out!” Archie read about an international study led by Matthew Clarkson as reported in LiveScience.com. Researchers have determined the central cause of the Great Dying, a period of widespread global extinction millions of years ago. A series of spectacular volcanic eruptions spewed CO2 into the atmosphere, and the earth’s oceans absorbed much of it. The pH (acid) level of the oceans rose dramatically causing mass extinctions.
Like those volcanoes, today the burning of fossil fuels since the beginning of the industrial age is loading the atmosphere with CO2. Modern day oceans are soaking up that CO2 and making them more acidic. The effects of this can already be seen in the bleaching of coral reefs. This latest finding highlights yet another reason to rapidly accelerate our transition to fuels with low greenhouse gas emissions.
“Drat those pesky researchers!” Archie fumed! “Now those humans, even if they don’t worry much about global warming, will have another reason to reduce fossil fuel use and destroy my plans for a beautiful acid kingdom!”
Will Archie succeed in his plan for world domination? Will humans shake off their addiction to fossil fuels? How can ordinary folks right here in Iowa Co. help foil Archie’s plans? Stay tuned and find out next time how Monty Marketplace can help save the day because this beautiful Earth is our only home. We are forever…Earthbound.
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