Most of us haven't anything more than a hazy perception of what happens in the other 3/4 of the planet's surface.
I first read about this in an article "The Top News Stories You Didn't See in 2006," published in a local newspaper.
- 'Only 50 years left' for sea fish — BBC News
- Global Warming, Decline in Fish Stock Could Damage World Economy — PBS
Apparently, several factors have greatly reduced the diversity and stability of ocean ecosystems. Chemicals in rivers create oceanic dead zones. Catches include more and more commercially unusable fish. And (I really wish I could track down this factoid) I think I remember reading that it took approximately 3 pounds of wild fish to produce 1 pound of aquacultured fish (the fish have to eat something.)
Quite a few of the science fiction stories I read either stated or implied that, in the future, Earth's huge population would draw a large portion of its sustenance from the oceans. It appears that those stories will quickly become as dated as much of Jules Verne's works — still enjoyable, but out of step with contemporary knowledge.
This was first apparently published in the Journal of Science. I wouldn't mind reading the original article or white papers, if anyone can find the links.)
Keywords: | responsibility | ecology |
Posted by Laughing Muse • 444 views • Share this link • Newer • Older
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