Oceans 101 | National Geographic

Summary

This video highlights the critical role of oceans, covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface, in regulating the global climate. It outlines three major impacts of climate change: rising temperatures leading to more extreme weather and threatening marine ecosystems, rising sea levels causing flooding in coastal areas, and ocean acidification hindering the ability of marine life to form shells. Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but existing atmospheric gases will continue to pose risks for decades.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth's surface and serve as the largest habitat.
• 🌍 The ocean plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate.
• 🌐 The ocean is divided into four major regions: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic.
• 🧪 Ocean water contains all chemical elements found on Earth but is salty due to sodium and chloride ions.
• 🌡️ Climate change is causing the ocean to warm, with surface temperatures rising at about 0.13°F per decade.
• 🌪️ Warmer ocean temperatures lead to more frequent and intense storms and threaten marine life like coral reefs.
• 📈 Sea levels are rising at double the long-term trend due to thermal expansion and melting ice sheets.
• 🏝️ Rising seas contribute to flooding in coastal areas, affecting once dry lands.
• 🌊 Ocean acidification is increasing due to CO2 absorption, lowering pH levels and impacting shell-forming species.
• 🚫 To protect oceans, we must dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but lingering gases will take decades to dissipate.

Q & A

What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by oceans?

Oceans cover over 70 percent of the Earth's surface.

What are the four major regions of the ocean?

The four major regions of the ocean are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic.

Why do oceans taste salty?

Oceans taste salty due to sodium and chloride ions from rainwater runoff and minerals from geothermal vents on the sea floor.

How has the temperature of the ocean changed over the past century?

The ocean's surface temperature has risen at an average rate of about 0.13 degrees Fahrenheit per decade over the past century.

What impact does warmer ocean water have on storms?

Warmer water vaporizes quickly, fueling stronger and more frequent storms.

What are the main causes of rising sea levels?

Sea levels rise due to water expansion from heating and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

How has the rate of sea level rise changed since 1993?

Since 1993, sea levels have been rising at a rate that is twice as fast as the long-term trend.

What is ocean acidification and its cause?

Ocean acidification is the lowering of sea water's pH due to absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere, which increases its acidity.

How does ocean acidification affect marine life?

Ocean acidification reduces the concentration of calcium carbonate, making it difficult for species like oysters, clams, and corals to form shells or skeletons.

What is necessary to stop the damage to our oceans?

Dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions is necessary to stop the damage to our oceans.

What happens to greenhouse gases even if emissions stop immediately?

Even if emissions stop tomorrow, the gases currently in the atmosphere would take decades to dissipate.