Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Seabirds dying, oceans crying

This year it's Oregon, last year Washington & California. West coast seabirds are dying in record numbers, is this part of a larger ocean crisis?

Starvation seems to be the cause, perhaps becasue of weak upwelling currents, unusual climate conditions, or lack of normal plankton supplies. Nothing simple here, complex linked cycles of physical and biological conditions seem to be failing the birds.

There are troubling signs that our oceans are not doing well, but how can we be sure? Do we ask for more studies and wait for rigorous proof of what's going on? Even if we wanted to try, is there anything we could do? Should we try to intervene, maybe it's just nature's way?

I think the only certainty is that it's hard to watch this happening.

No comments: