A sea of troubles

The International Panel on Climate Change has estimated that global average sea levels have risen 15-20cm over the 20th century.

The predicted sea level rise over this century ranges between 0.1 metres to 0.9, with 0.5m considered to be most reasonable estimate, resulting in serious damage to coastal habitats such as mangroves and marshlands, along with their dependant wildlife.

Increased ocean temperatures threaten many marine ecosystems. Coral reefs are already suffering extensive damage and death due to the rise in temperatures, something that is expected to become increasingly severe.

Rising temperatures are also affecting Antarctica and its dependant species, such as Adélie Penguin populations, which have shrunk 33% in 25 years due to declines in winter sea ice habitat.

The Northern sea ice pattern of reduction is predicted to continue and under the higher emissions scenario, will have almost completely disappeared in the month of September by 2080. This ice loss would be catastrophic to many species, including the polar bear.

Vast amounts of water would be released from the Greenland ice sheet (the second largest in the world) which is already losing a cubic kilometre of water every 40 hours as it breaks off into the Atlantic.

When atmospheric carbon dioxide is absorbed it acidifies the ocean water, it is predicted that increased acidification will affect the ability of species such as corals to make their shells. Phytoplankton and zooplankton, which form the basis of marine food chains, would also be further affected, threatening the numerous species that are ultimately reliant upon them.