1. Climate Change and the Marine Environment
Sixth class
Scoil An Spioraid Naoimh

2. Oceans cover 70% of the Earth’s surface
Oceans absorb up to 30% of the CO2 we produce

3. Ireland has 900 miles of coastline
149 beaches in Ireland were awarded a blue flag in 2017.

4. There are many threats to our oceans.
Over fishing
Oil spills
Pollution
Climate Change

5. Climate change is real
The Planet Earth is warming up faster than ever before.
The planet has warmed by an average of 10C in the past century
2016 was the warmest year on record

6. What is making the earth’s climate warmer?
Burning fossil fuels

7. Cutting down forests Forests absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide
The Amazon rainforest is so large and efficient it is often called ‘the lungs of the Earth’.
Many rainforests are being cut down

8. Breeding cattle
Cows’ eating habits contribute towards greenhouse gases
There are almost 1.5 billion cows releasing methane gas into the atmosphere

9. CO2 emissions from cars and other forms of transport
Transport represents almost a quarter of Europe's greenhouse gas emissions

10. This is known as GLOBAL WARMING.
Increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, means more heat is trapped making the Earth warmer.
This is known as GLOBAL WARMING.
CO2 emissions from cars

11. So what is happening to our oceans?

12. Coral Reefs Coral is very sensitive to changes in temperature.
With increased ocean acidification, corals cannot absorb the calcium carbonate they need to maintain their skeletons
The stony skeletons that support corals and reefs will dissolve.
Coral bleaching occurs when corals face unusual levels of stress from man-made global warming.

13. Coral bleaching

14. Melting polar ice

15. Rising sea levels
Average sea level around the world rose about 20 cm in the past 100 years
By 2050 many cities may require seawalls to survive
Many communities will be forced to move

16. Some marine species may lose their homes
Penguins in the Antarctic
In 2017 a colony of about 40,000 Adélie penguins in Antarica has suffered a “catastrophic breeding event” – all but two chicks have died of starvation this year.

17. Polar bears in the Arctic
Polar bears rely heavily on the sea ice environment for travelling, hunting, mating, resting and feeding (mainly seals).

18. Sea turtles have lost their nesting habitats
Rising sea levels from melting polar ice is resulting in the loss of beach and sea turtle nesting habitat.
Weather extremes due to climate change resulting in more frequent and severe storms - flooding sea turtle nests.
Hotter sand from rising temperatures results in decreased hatching rates or complete nest failure.

19. New species off our shores
Portuguese Man – of – War
New whale species
Two new species of shrimp-like.

20. Shellfish under threat from acidic oceans
Our oceans are becoming more acidic as they absorb and store the increasing load of carbon dioxide humans pump into the atmosphere.
Mussels are struggling to build their carbonate shells.

21. Storm weather – destroying our coastline and coastal habitats

22. Climate change is real
93% of climate change heat is being absorbed by the ocean
Letting rapid ocean change continue is not an option, not if we want to continue to live on planet Earth. 

23. TAKE ACTION NOW Be more energy aware We need to burn less fossil fuels
We need to use cleaner energy

24. Walk, cycle or car pool to school

25. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle or Upcycle

26. Conserve water

27. Buy local and eat less red meat

28. Plant trees, vegetables and wild flowers

29. Two minute beach clean

30. We need to create awareness about the impact of climate change on our oceans

31. We hope you enjoy our animation to create awareness
Be aware
We hope you enjoy our animation to create awareness

32. Pledge to go plastic free
By 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish
 Use reusable water bottles

33. Thank you for watching our presentation.