Marine Scientists Report Massive "Dead Zones"

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

by Stephen Leahy

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1006-04.htm

<snip>

Rising tides of untreated sewage and plastic debris are seriously threatening marine life and habitat around the globe, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warned in a report Wednesday. The number of ocean "dead zones" has grown from 150 in 2004 to about 200 today, said Nick Nuttall, a UNEP spokesperson.

"These are becoming more common in developing countries," Nuttall told IPS from Nairobi, Kenya.

Dead zones can encompass areas of ocean 100,000 square kms in size where little can live because there is no oxygen left in the water. Nitrogen pollution, mainly from farm fertilisers and sewage, produces blooms of algae that absorb all of the oxygen in the water.

Growing global populations, mainly concentrated along coastlines, and the resulting increase in untreated sewage are endangering human health and wildlife, as well as livelihoods from fisheries to tourism, according to the "State of the Marine Environment" report...

[Ezlivin]

1. Can't we just focus on the remaining "Live Zones" instead?

Didn't you get the memo? We are supposed to focus our attention only on the good news.

Don't complain to me that there is a dearth of good news; you just have to dig a bit and pretty soon you'll find some.

For instance: I could say that I'm paralyzed for life and have to use a wheelchair, or I could say that I get great parking spaces now.

See how simple it is?

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

3. Actually, if I knew a way to change the...

...way I perceive things so that I simply can't see negative in ANYTHING at all (as out of touch with reality as this would make me), given the last five years of BushCo, I'd be very tempted to do it.

Don't worry, be happy.

[Ezlivin]

4. Living in "The Truman Show"

If I could be totally ignorant or naive of what is going on, I'd probably be happier.

But I, like you, accept reality despite its rough edges.

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. Sadly, most people do not understand that if the oceans die we do too.