Chartered research has found that climate change significantly increased the likelihood of marine heatwaves along the Western Australia coast, leading to the deaths of 30,000 fish. These conditions have escalated since September of the previous year, with heat levels extraordinarily above average. The study underscores the urgent need for addressing climate change due to its profound impacts on marine life and industries.
Recent research indicates that climate change significantly contributed to the deaths of 30,000 fish along the Western Australia coast. Marine heatwaves in this area have intensified since September of last year, with ocean temperatures reported up to 1.5°C above average over five months, and even exceeding 4-5°C at the surface during peak periods. The study by Climate Central determined that these conditions are now 20 times more likely due to climate change. Notably, the heatwave’s peak period in November was found to be 100 times more probable because of human-induced climatic alterations.
Dr. Andrew Pershing, Chief Program Officer of Climate Central, emphasized that the escalating marine heat off the Western Australian coast is an abnormal occurrence attributable directly to fossil fuel combustion. Using satellite data and climate models, the Ocean Climate Shift Index assessed the impact of carbon pollution, revealing that nearly 90% of marine heatwaves are linked to anthropogenic global warming. The study also warned that the frequency and duration of such heatwaves are expected to increase as fossil fuel emissions grow.
Such marine heatwaves create severe thermal stress for various marine species, contributing to significant fish kills along the Pilbara coast. Australia is facing substantial challenges due to these climate impacts, which also result in coral bleaching and affect vital sectors such as fisheries and tourism. Past marine heatwaves, such as those in 2010-11, caused extensive damage to seagrass meadows in regions like Shark Bay.
Dr. Matt Rayson, an oceanographer at the University of Western Australia, noted that the heat building started in the north and gradually spread to the western coast, raising surface temperatures substantially. Autonomous ocean robots deployed by the university confirmed unusual subsurface temperatures. The research highlights that 90% of the excess energy from greenhouse gases is retained in the ocean, enhancing the likelihood of marine heatwaves and potentially resulting in severe weather phenomena, including tropical cyclones.
The ongoing marine heat situation off the WA coast revealed temperatures as high as 1.6°C above the average in January, signaling a continuing trend of warming. Dr. Pershing reiterated that these marine heatwaves are not incidental but are directly connected to climate change, intensifying in both frequency and severity as human activities persist. He stated, “Humans are affecting the planet in a lot of ways… it’s affecting everything on the planet, and the ocean is such a huge part of our planet.”
Understanding the impact of climate change on marine environments is crucial as rising temperatures lead to severe conditions such as marine heatwaves. These heatwaves have profound consequences for marine life, ecosystems, and industries reliant on ocean resources. The research presented involves detailed statistical analysis and observations from satellite data to assess human-induced changes in ocean temperatures, revealing alarming trends and implications for biodiversity and ecological balance in affected areas.
The findings highlight the critical link between climate change and marine health, emphasizing that human activities, particularly fossil fuel emissions, are catalysts for severe marine heatwaves. The significant fish mortality observed off the Western Australia coast serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate issues. As marine climates continue to change, stakeholders in fisheries and tourism must prepare for increasingly frequent and intense impacts affecting their livelihoods and ecosystems.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
