A vast iceberg has broken of from Antarctica, and scientist have warned that the ramifications on our animal friends and the world could be catastrophic.
They say the iceberg, which is 78km long and up to 39km wide, could have consequences for not only the area's colonies of emperor penguins, but also other arctic marine life that needs cold waters to survive.
It has been identified, that with
this break in the ice, it has the potential to alter the currents of the oceans leading to warmer waters, and a shift in cyclic conditions.
The oceans waters are an amazing system that works with precision. If the slightest element was to disrupt the flow of this system, it could drastically alter the currents, which would affect weather conditions and flow of our Home.
We have witnessed recently with the earthquake that hit Chile, that something like this has the potential to turn time. Researchers have found that this earthquake has reduced the length of the days.
Even though it is very marginal - our Home is so precise that even the slightest change will have drastic affects for the eco system and consequently our existence on this beautiful Planet.
We are all connected.
Researchers and scientists have also discovered the emblematic birds may be forced to travel further afield to find food.
This will also have an affect on the fish, seal and whale eating patterns as they may have to travel further and further in order to find their primary food source.
"There are emperor penguin colonies about 200-300km away to the west. They come to this area to feed, and seals in the area also come to get access to the open water," explained Dr Neal Young from the Australia-based Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Co-operative Research Centre.
He suggested that a change in the availability of open water could affect the rate of food production, which would have an impact on the amount of wildlife it could sustain.
"If the area gets choked up (with ice), then they would have to go elsewhere and look for food."
However, something as tiny as algae could also be greatly impacted. "It is a very active area for algae growth, especially in springtime,"
Scientifically speaking, this is what will occur
"Sea ice is relatively fresh compared to sea water, so the more sea ice you have (in the surrounding area), the more salt that is left in the remaining open water."
The rise in the concentration of salt increases the water's density, causing it to sink to the bottom of the ocean.
"This area around the Antarctic coastline, of which the Mertz Peninsula is one part, produces about one quarter of the Antarctic's bottom water, but the Mertz polynia is a major contributor," Dr Young said.
He added that the new iceberg had shortened the length of the Mertz Glacier Tongue, which could result in pack ice entering the area and disrupting the polynia.
"That means that the bottom water production rate... will decrease.
"The bottom water spills over the continental shelf, flows down the continental slope into the deep ocean."
This process helps drive the "conveyor belt" of currents in the Southern, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Any disruption to the net flow of bottom water could result in a weakening in the deep ocean circulation system, which plays a key role in the global climate system.
This Friday, the UK government could make history by creating the world’s largest Marine Protected Area around the Chagos Islands.
Together, let’s send the UK government a tidal wave of global public support urging them to be bold and protect oceans from exploitation. Sign the petition below, then forward it to everyone you know. It will be delivered to Foreign Secretary David Miliband by the deadline this Friday! - VOTE HERE
We pray that all Humans adopt the loving, and compassionate Vegan lifestyle.
Be love - Be Peace - Be Vegan.
