Marine Plants Die in Warmer Oceans, Speeding Climate Change

Marine Plants Die in Warmer Oceans, Speeding Climate Change

GREENBELT, Maryland, December 7, 2006 (ENS) - Global warming is reducing the
numbers of microscopic plants in the world's oceans, a new study of
satellite data reveals. Scientists say that means there are fewer plants to
absorb the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide humans are pumping into the
atmosphere, leading to a further increase in global warming.
By comparing nine years of global ocean satellite data with records of
Earth's changing climate, scientists from NASA and five other institutions
on the study found that whenever climate temperatures warmed, marine plant
life in the form of microscopic phytoplankton declined.

Whenever climate temperatures cooled, marine plant life became more vigorous
or productive. These tiny plants form the basis of the ocean food chain.
Full story at