Life Is Challenge

Global Warming and Plankton

Today the biggest problem of the world is global warming. It has caused many problems. Weather is getting hotter, and glaciers are melting. These changes are threatening our environment. We have to find the way to stop global warming and recover the environment. Many scientists are trying to find solutions. Many people may think that there is no way to escape from global warming. However, surprisingly, an invisibly small creature would have a key to solve the problem. The article “Galapagos plankton project could hold key to,” written by Steve Connor, says that tiny marine plankton will be the solution for global warming. According to the article, plankton plays a critical role in controlling the carbon dioxide balance of the atmosphere and the oceans. Plankton consumes carbon dioxide and produces organic matter, the article explains. Planktos, an eco-restoration organization, has a project of cultivating plankton by dropping iron into the Pacific Ocean near the Galapagos Islands, the article says. In the article, the Planktos team believes that the oceans will largely contribute to weakening the effects of global warming. I believe that the plankton project is effective and helpful for the oceanic ecosystem and humans.

First, the plankton project will be more effective than planting trees. Basically, reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the key to solving global warming. Though planting trees is one way to lower carbon dioxide density in the air, it is less effective. This is because planting trees requires large lands, enough water, and a long time. On the other hand, increasing plankton population is relatively easy. We can make it by supplying iron, a necessary nutrient for plankton, into the sea. Also, the population grows very fast because it increases exponentially. Furthermore, plankton’s capacity of consuming carbon dioxide and producing oxygen is better than the Amazon forest’s. Plankton removes the half of the carbon dioxide of the earth and generates half of its oxygen. Therefore, using plankton against global warming is more beneficial than planting trees.

Second, the plankton project is also helpful for the marine ecosystem and human beings. Plankton is a prey of many kinds of fish. If the number of plankton increases, then the number of fish that eats plankton will increase, too. Additionally, the food chain will make other oceanic species flourish. Also, sufficient food for fish will help the species facing extinction survive and thrive in the sea. In this way, the ocean ecosystem would be more diverse and healthier. It is also good for human beings. People can get various and lots of seafood, and fisheries will thrive. The plankton project is beneficial for both the oceans and people.

In conclusion, global warming is the biggest problem to be solved. The article “Galapagos plankton project could hold key to” tells us about one possible solution for global warming. The article says that Planktos, eco-restoration organization, is planning to conduct the project that will grow plankton by supplying iron which a necessary nutrient for plankton. Plankton consumes a lot of carbon dioxide, the main reason of global warming, and global warming could be solved, the article mentions. I support this idea for two reasons. This project is more effective than planting trees, and it will play an adventurous role for marine the ecosystem and human beings. I hope this project is successful, and global warming is controlled.

Reference:
Connor, S. (2007, May 7). Galapagos plankton could hold key to. Canberra Times. p4. Retrieved on May 31, 2007 from Lexis-Nexis

posted by Allen Koh @ 6:39 AM