Carbon Dioxide Emissions: The Invisible Source of Catastrophic Problems

By Michelle Kennedy

Though you cannot physically see it, carbon dioxide emissions have profound effects on the world around us.

Despite convincing articles that swear by the decline of CO2 emissions, new studies express that COVID-19 has not significantly impacted the situation. If we want to truly reduce the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere, it is going to require more than a three month lockdown. According to NOAA, “If humans were to suddenly stop emitting CO2, it would take thousands of years for our CO2 emissions so far to be absorbed.” Currently, we are in uncharted territory. Mauna Loa Observatory announced that May 2020 revealed the highest monthly reading of atmospheric carbon dioxide ever recorded.

Geochemist Ralph Keeling further explains how “the buildup of CO2 is a bit like trash in a landfill. As we keep emitting, it keeps piling up.” This buildup of CO2 presents a huge threat everywhere. Because carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, it is carried vast distances from its original source via the wind. Although some of the largest CO2 emitters include China, the U.S., and India, the efficient mobility of carbon dioxide puts countries who emit the least amount of CO2 at a great risk. More information regarding CO2 emissions, categorized by country and type of fuel, can be found here.

In addition to its efficient redistribution around the globe, CO2 emissions build up significantly in the northern hemisphere throughout winter. During the winter months, plant leaves decompose which allows for the extensive buildup of carbon dioxide particles. During the photosynthesis process, plants take in atmospheric CO2 and release oxygen. In the winter, there are less plants performing photosynthesis which results in more atmospheric carbon.

In addition to plant leaves, a huge contributor to the absorption of CO2 includes the ocean. According to Vox, about 25% of the world’s CO2 emissions are absorbed by the ocean. Unlike plants, however, the ocean is consistently absorbing carbon dioxide particles throughout the year. According to ucsusa, when carbon dioxide enters saltwater, it forms carbonic acid. This carbonic acid then dissociates, producing hydrogen ions. With the ocean absorbing ever increasing amounts of CO2, it is impacting the ocean environment in astronomical ways.

Absorption of carbon dioxide emissions has been proven to considerably raise the acidity and temperature of the ocean. Ucsusa highlights that “surface waters are now 30 percent more acidic than they were at the start of the industrial era.” Models show that by the end of this century, surface waters will be twice as acidic as they were in the beginning of the century. These extreme and rapid changes are disastrously affecting all marine life.

One species that is greatly affected by the changing ocean environment are marine corals. Rising carbon dioxide levels drive ocean temperatures up, which stresses marine corals. When corals are stressed significantly, they undergo bleaching events. These events are characterized by the once colorful coral turning white. This happens when corals expel the nutrient-rich algae living in their tissues. When bleaching events occur, the coral is not necessarily dead. Bleaching events, however, leave corals extremely vulnerable to nutrient loss and death can arise.  

These bleaching events can result in the loss of biodiversity and threaten organisms that live within coral reefs. Corals are considered a “keystone species”, thus meaning it is a fundamental organism to the entire marine ecosystem. The loss of coral reefs would be extremely detrimental to the entire ecosystem, both marine and terrestrial. Read more about bleaching events here.

Many coral reefs all over the world have undergone bleaching events. Photo by John Cahil Rom from Pexels

In addition to the damage of corals, the raised acidity of the ocean can impact marine organisms that rely on calcium carbonate shells or plates. Those organisms include clams, mussels, lobsters, crabs, and many more. This, in turn, can impact humans by threatening our food sources even further.

One unique characteristic to reduce carbon from the ocean is the recently studied giant larvacean. In the deep ocean, the giant larvacean secretes snot to build a web of mucous. Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), studied the structure of these mucous structures. Using a 3D software, they were able to delve deeper by studying the flow of water through these structures. They determined that there are essentially two filters within this mucous structure. One filter filters out carbon and microplastics, while the other helps the larvacean to feed on tiny particles.

MBARI further explains how this unique structure assists the ocean in removing carbon and microplastics. When the web of mucus is abandoned by the larvacean, it sinks down to the bottom of the ocean. When this happens, the web of mucus brings the previously trapped microplastics and carbon particles with it. Though the larvacean itself measures from less than 1 cm to 10 cm, it can filter through about 80 liters of water an hour.

Close up of a giant larvacean and its inner filter. 3D rendering has allowed MBARI’s researchers to further understand the structure of the double filtering system. Image: © 2002 MBARI

It is not too late, however, to try and improve this situation. Author and environmentalist Bill McKibben points out that we are way past the threshold where little changes affect anything. Together, we need to think big. Our next step must be to divest stocks in companies that support the use of fossil fuels such as Exxon, Shell, and Rio Tinto. McKibben urges us to join this growing movement of states, universities, and churches all divesting their stocks in these companies. These fossil fuel companies, some of “the richest enterprises in history,” desperately need to change into energy companies. They could invest their billions of dollars into solar panels rather than discovering new oil sources.

The Earth simply cannot keep up with this pace and we cannot sustain our current way of life. If we want to witness a big change, we must tackle some of the largest root sources of the problem. The future largely depends on how we deal with this issue here and now.