Ocean Woes

The oceans are growing more acidic as they absorb the surplus carbon dioxide in the atmosphere -- a problem some say is even more worrisome than global warming. The trend has terrible ramifications, as the acidity could undermine the very base of the ocean food chain -- namely, plankton. Coral reefs are in trouble too, with researchers reporting unprecedented bleaching in the Caribbean, where sustained high sea surface temperatures were recorded in 2005. Sadly, the situation is even worse in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and global warming has many scientists despairing for the future of coral reefs. Biochemistry professor M. James Crabbe tells the AP, "If you want to see a coral reef, go now, because they just won't survive in their current state."

Desperate for a shred of good news? How about this? Cyclone Larry may have helped corals in Australia's Great Barrier Reef as its churning Category-5 winds helped lower ocean temperatures there and so forestalled bleaching. Granted, those winds also did some damage to the reef. And yes, the back-to-back occurrence of Larry and Glenda raises the nagging question of whether these severe storms are the result of warming, but, hey, you have to take good news where you can get it.