How We Ruined the Oceans
http://theweek.com/articles/538881/how-ruined-oceans
1 Why are the oceans in trouble? They can no longer absorb the damage caused by the 7 billion people on Earth. Over
many decades, the human race has overfished important species to near extinction, and polluted the oceans with carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions, toxic chemicals, trash, and plastics. An important new study, published in Science, warned that
our oceans are being damaged beyond repair by human activity and could be near “a major extinction event." Coral reefs,
home to 25 percent of the ocean's fish, have declined by 40 percent worldwide. Stocks of large fish that people usually eat
are down by 90 percent. Marine scientists say that if mankind does not dramatically change how it treats the oceans and
its animals, many species will become extinct.
2 How does global warming affect fish? As the oceans heat up, many species are moving to cooler waters to survive.
Some will die in these new homes. Other problems are caused directly by the burning of fossil fuels. With oceans
absorbing a quarter of the world's CO2 emissions, they have become more acidic. Power plant emissions put tons of
highly toxic mercury (Hg) in the air, which is absorbed into the ocean. The mercury is taken up by the animals in the sea.
3 What about plastic? Our oceans contain an estimated 5.25 trillion (5,250,000,000,000) pieces of plastic. A lot of this
trash, which mostly comes from plastic bottles and commercial fishing gear, has collected in huge areas of garbage,
known as gyres. The largest, the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch," covers an area twice the size of Texas. The mostly tiny
pieces of plastic in these patches contain many potentially hazardous chemicals, and are being eaten by fish and birds. As
smaller animals are eaten by bigger fish, the plastic becomes more concentrated and ends up in people who eat seafood.
4 How big of a problem is overfishing? Since fishing became industrialized just over a century ago, most commercial
species have been reduced by more than 75 percent — and some by 99 percent. Most countries now have fishing quotas,
but they're hard to enforce: An estimated 1 in 5 fish sold in a shop or served in a restaurant has been caught illegally.
5 The dangers of a fishy diet For decades, doctors and health officials have recommended people to eat as much seafood
as possible because of its health benefits. But in recent years that recommendation has changed, as emissions from
factories and power plants have increased the mercury in oceans and fish up to dangerous levels. Consumer Reports
recently said that anyone who eats 24 ounces (280 grams) or more of fish per week "should steer clear of high-mercury
choices," and warned people not to eat canned tuna or sushi made from tuna.
1. absorb _____
2. overfish_____
3. extinction (noun)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
extinct (adj) _____
toxic _____
emissions_____
concentrated_____
quotas_____
century _____
hazardous _____
fossil fuels_____
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
When something (such as a plant or animal species) has died out completely.
The act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source.
Existing or happening together in one place; not spread out.
A period of one hundred years.
To catch too many fish so that there are not enough remaining.
Involving risk or danger; dangerous.
A fuel (such as coal, oil, or natural gas) that is formed in the earth from dead plants or
animals.
H. To take in (something, such as a liquid) in a natural or gradual way
I. Poisonous material when capable of causing death or serious injury.
J. An official limit on the number or amount of things that are allowed.
Determine if each statement is true or false. If it is false, write the correct answer below.
11. _____Twenty five percent of the fish on coral reefs have disappeared from the oceans.
12. _____Carbon dioxide, mercury, and oxygen are three chemicals that are harming the oceans of the world.
13. _____There is large collection of garbage floating in the ocean that some people believe could cover the US state of
Texas two times.
14. _____About 20% of fish sold or served are caught illegally.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. In paragraph 2, what does if mercury is “taken up” by sea animals? ------------------------------------------------------------
16. In paragraph 5, what does it mean to “steer clear of” something? --------------------------------------------------------------Are there any environmental problems discussed in the article that you disagree with?
In your opinion, what are the most serious environmental problems facing the earth?
In what ways can people help the environment?
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