The Ocean Needs Attention | Teen Ink

The Ocean Needs Attention

April 19, 2024
By Anonymous

The ocean is a wonderful place, filled with vibrant sea life ranging from massive whales to the smallest of shrimp. Marine wildlife flourishes under the sea with vast ecosystems packed to the brim with all the resources needed to survive and thrive. Enormous colorful ecosystems existing underwater with countless different species which all have a certain uniqueness to them that fascinates any who would spot them. From tropic waters to the polar sea, life thrives in all sorts of temperatures and environments. However this magnificent environment is changing and not for the better due to climate change. Unfortunately there are a multitude of problems it brings to the ill-fated fish of the sea as they are plagued by death, destruction, and disease. The ruination of the vibrant ecosystems, the massacre of sealife, the polluting of the water, all have been rampant in these years. More specific examples of this adverse change are ocean acidification, rising sea levels, and marine heatwaves which all are actively harming the sea as I speak. The main effect of climate change on the ocean though is the extra heat the water has to absorb from the atmosphere caused by the hotter air temperatures from the climate warming. This abundance of heat from this increases the ocean’s temperature past normal temperatures which causes death among sea life and complete disruption of ecosystems. This information makes me reflect on my experiences with the ocean, taking me back to when I went to the beach. I volunteered to clean the beach as a part of an organization called National Honor Society and we were to pick up all garbage and trash we saw. As I was walking along the waterline I would occasionally spot a dead fish or some form of sea life that had washed up. Standing on the beach and just gazing down the shoreline inspired reflection within myself, wondering how exactly this has come to happen. Reflecting about what has humankind done to cause this much chaos, destruction, and death among the ocean ecosystems. Thinking about how climate change is affecting the ocean now and in the future inspires me to try and make a difference and inform others about what is happening. With more people aware about the ocean’s warming and overall change caused by the climate we can create change large enough to save the sea and its marine life.


The author's comments:

This piece is not only an article about the ocean but a way to reflect on how we often neglect our environment.


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