I came across a piece of research somewhere that had something to this effect. Its really alarming for the coming generations. Such things make me cogitate on whether our generation should really have children. Because we are not going to be able to leave them a healthy climate fit for living by the time we leave. The article had the following main points:
The oceans have absorbed almost a fourth of the total CO2 emitted by humans since the industrial revolution started. Globally about half of the extra CO2 emissions are soaked up by natural sinks such as oceans, soils and vegetation.
Now one of the prominent natural CO2 sponges, The Southern Ocean has almost come to a saturation in its ability to absorb CO2. The southern Ocean which absorbs CO2 equivalent to the entire emission of UK and Netherlands combined annually is absorbing the same quantity as it was absorbing 24 years ago. The reason for this saturation is itself the climate change. The uneven heating of the earth's atmosphere is causing greater pressure differences between different parts of the world, thus, increasing the speed of winds. This increase in winds over the southern ocean has resulted in more mixing of the waters causing the colder water to come up from the bottom. This colder water being already saturated with CO2 doesn't absorb more CO2 leading to an overall reduction of the CO2 absorbing ability of the ocean. The depletion of ozone layer has also contributed to the increased wind speed.
The oceans have absorbed almost a fourth of the total CO2 emitted by humans since the industrial revolution started. Globally about half of the extra CO2 emissions are soaked up by natural sinks such as oceans, soils and vegetation.
Now one of the prominent natural CO2 sponges, The Southern Ocean has almost come to a saturation in its ability to absorb CO2. The southern Ocean which absorbs CO2 equivalent to the entire emission of UK and Netherlands combined annually is absorbing the same quantity as it was absorbing 24 years ago. The reason for this saturation is itself the climate change. The uneven heating of the earth's atmosphere is causing greater pressure differences between different parts of the world, thus, increasing the speed of winds. This increase in winds over the southern ocean has resulted in more mixing of the waters causing the colder water to come up from the bottom. This colder water being already saturated with CO2 doesn't absorb more CO2 leading to an overall reduction of the CO2 absorbing ability of the ocean. The depletion of ozone layer has also contributed to the increased wind speed.
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