Biodiversity
Plankton
Mighty Plankton
Although unseen, plankton contributes significantly to the health of our planet. Phytoplankton, the trees of the ocean, sequester more CO2 than all the world’s plants. The ocean supports life on this planet by storing 95% of the world’s carbon, absorbing 90% of the heat, and generating 50-70% of the oxygen.[1]
[1] Frawkoski, Paul, Nature, 2012.
Plankton and the Industrialized Ocean
Filter feeders “biofoul” foreign objects in the ocean, and reduce the phytoplankton, and hence the primary productivity of industrialized areas.[1] Any climate change remedy that decreases plankton counts in the ocean could result in a net increase of atmospheric CO2 and ultimately an acceleration of global warming. Marine industrialization kills plankton and decreases biodiversity.
[1] Malerba, White, and Marshall, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 2019.
Do Offshore Wind Projects decrease Primary Productivity?
Recent studies from the North Sea demonstrate that the presence of wind turbines decreases phytoplankton counts by as much as 8%,[1] redistributes plankton, and deoxygenates lower-level water.[2] A mere 1% decrease in phytoplankton will cause an increase in CO2 emissions that outweighs any theoretical benefit from renewable energy sources. The Revolution Wind DEIS calculates that the installation of the cable alone will kill over 8.5 billion zooplankton and 1 billion fish eggs.[3]
[1] Slavik et al. 2018, Hydrobiologia.*
[2] Daewel et al. 2022, Communications Earth & Environment*; Helmholtz Association 2022
[3] BOEM 2022, Revolution Wind DEIS, Vol 1 and 2, p. 3.6-38.
Whales and biodiversity
Nature's Solution to Climate Change
Whales participate in the global carbon cycle by redistributing minerals critical for phytoplankton blooms into southern waters that normally become depleted of these elements. This allows phytoplankton to use sunlight to absorb CO2 and convert it into oxygen.
North Sea Sperm Whales 'died in hunt for squid'
During Ørsted’s construction of Germany’s largest offshore wind project, Gode Wind 1 and 2, thirty sperm whales died in the North Sea. None died from ship strikes. Twenty-three washed up along the shores adjacent to the construction site, but “experts” declare no connection between offshore wind construction and the unusual whale deaths exists.
Sperm Whale Deaths
Whales and Underwater Noise
Whales have exquisitely sensitive hearing. They developed this sense because light does not penetrate very far beneath the surface. Without light, animals cannot rely on their vision and must rely on other senses, including hearing and smelling. Read how humans are affecting the noise levels in the ocean.
Photograph credit: Tony Wu
Underwater Noise
Biodiversity and Human Disease
The Importance of Bats
Given the association between bats and both the coronavirus and rabies, few people lose sleep over bat deaths. However, bats control insect populations. One brown bat can eat 1000 mosquitos per night. They also eat mosquito larvae.
The Science About Bats and Mosquitos
Why do we want to control the mosquito population?
Mosquitos transmit viruses and other infectious organisms that can cause illnesses, and sometimes even death, in humans. The larger the mosquito population, the greater the risk of contracting a mosquito-borne disease, including Zika, West Nile, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis viruses.
Mosquito Born Diseases
Do Offshore Wind Projects Harm Bats?
Wind turbines kill more bats than previously recognized,[1] particularly during the autumn migratory season. Although bats roost on land, they will fly more than 25 miles offshore during migration.[2] Bats follow the insects attracted to the lights illuminating the turbines at night, drawing the bats directly into the rotating blades. Decreasing bat numbers will allow mosquito populations to rise
[1] Voigt et al. 2022, Global Ecology and Conservation.
[2] Hatch et al. 2013, PLoS One.
How does the ocean support life on this planet?
THE OCEAN:
Produces 70% of the World's Oxygen
The ocean produces more oxygen than all of the rainforests and all of the plants on land.
Sequesters 45% of Carbon Dioxide
The ocean sequesters 45% of the carbon dioxide produced by civilization and stores 95% of the planet's total carbon.
Maintains Biodiversity
The World Health Organization warns that biodiversity loss threatens to harm human health more than climate change.
Protects Against Climate Change
The Gulf Stream warms cold regions and cools warm regions. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) helps absorb 90% of the planet's heat.
Suffers from Human Interactions
Tuna, cod, and swordfish have declined by 90% in the last century.
Will Suffer More from Industrialization
Industrializing the ocean with offshore wind farms will harm whales, threaten fish stocks, decrease biodiversity, and diminish ocean currents.