[permaculture-oceania] Fwd: Oceans and Global Warming

[Robyn Williamson]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: press-release at i-sis.org.uk
> Date: Sat Jul 22, 2006  12:27:49 am Australia/Sydney
> To: robinet at aapt.net.au
> Subject: Oceans and Global Warming
>
> The Institute of Science in Society
> Science Society Sustainability
> http://www.i-sis.org.uk
>
> This article can be found on the I-SIS website at
> http://www.i-sis.org.uk/OceansGlobalWarming.php
>
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> ========================================================
>
> ISIS Press Release 21/07/06
>
> Oceans and Global Warming
> *********************
>
> Dr. Mae-Wan Ho explains how oceans determine climate and
> influence climate change. Urgent need to shift away from
> fossil fuels to renewable options (Which Energy?)
>
> Oceans of life
>
> Oceans are vast, deep, and mysterious. They cover 71 percent
> of the earth’s surface and contain approximately 97 percent
> of the earth’s water [1]. The average depth of the ocean is
> almost 4 000 metres [2], and nearly half the area is over 3
> 000 metres deep.
>
> The oceans are home to the majority of plant and animal life
> on earth, accounting for 90 percent of the world’s living
> biomass, and many new species are being discovered from the
> depths. The Census of Marine Life (COML), an international
> alliance of scientists from 70 countries, discovered some 13
> 000 new species in 2003 alone [3]. COML is amassing data to
> create a map of the distribution of 38 000 marine species
> from plankton to whales.
>
> According to one theory, life on earth originated around
> hydrothermal vents in the deep seafloor that heat up the
> water to 450 C [2]. Rare creatures living there today are
> still able to obtain energy from chemical reactions in the
> same way as the primordial life forms, and do not need to
> depend directly or indirectly on photosynthesis for food
> like 99.97 percent of the biosphere.
>
> Oceans and climate
>
> Oceans affect climate in many ways [4]. As the major
> reservoir of water, oceans dominate the movement of water,
> supplying most of the water vapour in the atmosphere by
> evaporation. Of this evaporated water, 91 percent is
> returned to the oceans as precipitation, the remainder is
> transported and precipitated over landmasses. Runoff and
> groundwater from land flow back to the oceans [5].
>
>
>
> Read the rest of this article here
> http://www.i-sis.org.uk/OceansGlobalWarming.php
>
> This is the second in an eight part ISIS series on the oceans.
> Previous articles in the series:
> 20/7/06 Oceans In Distress
> http://www.i-sis.org.uk/OceansInDistress.php
>
>
> The rest will be released over the next two weeks
> Titles of upcoming articles include:
> Oceans and Global Warming
> Oceans Carbon Sink or Source
> Acid Oceans
> Abrupt Plankton Shifts
> Plankton and Global Warming; Snuffing Out the Green Fuse
> The Blue Revolution; Air Conditioning and Energy From Deep Water
>
>
>
> Or read other articles in the Global Warming
> section of the Institute of Science in Society Website
> http://www.i-sis.org.uk/climateglobalwarming.php
>
>
> ========================================================
> This article can be found on the I-SIS website at
> http://www.i-sis.org.uk/OceansGlobalWarming.php
>
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CONTACT DETAILS:

Robyn Williamson
Permaculture Design Consultant
Urban Horticulturist
Local Seed Network Coordinator
NORTH WESTERN SYDNEY COMMUNITY SEED SAVERS
mobile:  0409 151 435
ph/fx:  (612) 9629 3560
http://www.seedsavers.net
http://www.communityfoods.org.au
http://www.communitygarden.org.au
http://www.bidjiwongcommunitynursery.org.au

I think we risk becoming the best informed society that has ever died of
ignorance. *-Reuben Blades*