Last modified: Sept. 08, 2022
Expansion of aquatic populations owing to global warming in some locations
Global warming is causing changes in aquatic populations, which are being seen by fishers on a small Canadian island. With warmer seas, lobsters are plentiful, and oysters are available for longer periods of the year.
The value of Canadian lobster exports exceeded $3.2 billion last year, setting a record and exceeding pre-pandemic levels by more than $700 million.
Most of the increase was accounted for by rising sales of Canadian frozen and processed lobster in the United States in 2021.
Higher Plankton Biomass
Most ocean food webs are built on the tiny marine plants known as phytoplankton, whose production supports commercial fishing, carbon sequestration, and robust marine ecosystems.
One of the most varied groups of living things on the planet, phytoplankton fix about as much carbon as all the land plants put together.
Warmer temperatures will enhance the production of plankton biomass because phytoplankton uses the sun’s energy to convert carbon into protoplasm (living cells in a plasma membrane) via a process known as photosynthesis.
Higher levels of phytoplankton can contribute to an increase in the volume and biodiversity of marine life in the ocean as more nutrients becomes accessible. Depleted or endangered fish species may also be given an opportunity to recover, and their populations may begin to increase again.
Certain agricultural sectors are expanding
There are now new chances in the agriculture industry for countries in the Northern Hemisphere (near to the Arctic Circle) that were formerly covered in snow for significant portions of the year along with low temperatures.
Farmers in Canada are happy about climate change.
There are more days without frost in northern parts of central Canada, a longer growing season, the chance to plant warmer-weather crops (such maize and soybeans), and where the soils allow, an expansion of agricultural production northward. Canadian farmers are barely able to stop pounding the air in enthusiasm over climate change as cereal is being grown further north.
A two-degree or even higher temperature increase would increase Denmark’s agricultural output. Wheat, grass, and sweetcorn would benefit from this.
New Shipping Routes
Ships are sensitive to a variety of factors, including channel depth and sea ice extent. Increasing temperatures may reduce sea ice in many important shipping lanes, thereby extending the shipping season. Warmer winters will result in less snow and ice accumulation on marine transportation vessels, decks, and rigging. Warmer temperatures in the Arctic may also allow for the possibility of a Northwest Passage during certain seasons, reducing shipping times and distances.
This is particularly advantageous for the North Sea Shipping Lane. It runs through the Arctic and is a much faster (and less expensive) way of transporting oil from Norway and Russia to global markets.
A shorter northern sea route between northern Norway and China in 2050 is expected to save a medium-sized bulk carrier 18 days and 580 tons of bunker fuel, resulting in economic savings ranging from $200,000 to $350,000 per trip. A trip straight through the North Pole would save you 40% of your money.
As sea levels rise, shipping lanes will be able to accommodate larger ships, lowering shipping costs. Higher sea levels, on the other hand, will result in less clearance under waterway bridges. Ships may face weight restrictions in inland waterways where water levels are expected to fall, such as parts of the Great Lakes, as channels become too shallow.
Fewer winter illnesses
In recent decades, unusually frosty winter temperatures have become less common across the contiguous forty-eight states. Extreme cold waves are expected to decrease further as winter temperatures rise in the future. This winter warming is expected to reduce the number of deaths caused by the cold.
As Global Warming continues to warm the planet, countries that have traditionally experienced very cold winters may see a decrease in deaths related to persistent icy weather.
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