State of the Oceans — Log 68
YOUR WEEKLY BRIEFING FROM PARLEY
PLASTIC POLLUTION
Recent rises in cheap gas and petrochemicals could commit the U.S. economy to another generation of plastic pollution and carbon emissions. A recent study revealed that 88 new petrochemical plants are already being built or planned along America’s Gulf Coast. When completed, these plastic-producing facilities will generate 150.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gases, which is equal to the emissions of 38 coal plants.
Up until last year, U.S. emissions have declined, but the ever-growing plastic industry – which now accounts for 12% of global oil demands – could jeopardize that trend. “Plastic is fossil fuel in another form,” said one of the study’s authors. “Everything that happens before you see plastic on the shelf is emissions intense. At the top level, dealing with the climate crisis requires dealing with the plastics crisis.”
CLIMATE CHANGE
Unfortunately, this week brought more reports on how Australia’s bushfires are destroying marine environments. As ash rushes down coasts, silt is blocking fish’s gills and eclipsing sunlight that seagrasses need to thrive.“It’s like putting a shade cloth all over the entire system,” said one shark advocate. The ash also brings an influx of nutrients, which boost algae blooms that use up oxygen and suffocate wildlife. Commercially valuable species are at risk, and many indigenous peoples, who place cultural significance on these waterways, are bracing for losses. Australia’s government has pledged $50 million (AU) to restore terrestrial ecosystems, but no funds have been allotted to aquatic areas yet.
OCEAN RESOURCES
According to new, comprehensive research, humans began putting immense pressure on the oceans at the turn of the 21st century and show no sign of stopping. The study – which features 50 years of data on shipping, drilling, mining, fishing and more – calls this rise in exploitation the “Blue Acceleration.” Lead author Jean-Baptiste Jouffray from the Stockholm Resilience Centre said, “Claiming ocean resources and space is not new to humanity, but the extent, intensity and diversity of today’s aspirations are unprecedented.”Rather optimistically, the authors see their work as an opportunity to reflect on the impacts of ocean extraction and to pivot towards more thoughtful management strategies.
MARINE LIFE
Throughout the Philippines, new research shows high concentrations of microplastics in a staple food fish. With landings topping 194 tons in 2017, rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens) is one the country’s most popular seafoods, which means many people are likely ingesting the microplastics found in this species’ guts. The Philippines are one of the world’s largest plastic consumers – using 48 million shopping bags every day – but the researchers were still shocked to find increased microplastics levels far from urban areas. “The most surprising result of our study is that we found fish samples with high number of particles, even in a rural town,” said the lead author.
INNOVATION
The future is now: scientists from Rice University created a method to electrify “virtually any source of solid carbon” and transform it into graphene, a valuable material used in electronics. Most graphene production yields low-quality chunks, but this new technique generates “atom-thin sheets” that are stronger than steel and rival copper in conducting heat and electricity. Better yet, this method has the potential to convert large quantities of organic material in landfills like food waste, tires, and even plastic into the precious substance. One expert who was not involved in the study said, “This work is pioneering... I wish I had thought of it.”
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