Connect with us

Issue 99 - August 2023

How We Created the Hottest Global Average Temperature Day and What to Do About It

Contributed by Dr. Rob Moir

It was more than fireworks heating up the sky during the 2023 Independence Day celebrations.

Melting sea ice

July 3rd was the hottest day recorded as a global average of temperatures taken at hundreds of sites worldwide.  The worldwide average for that day was 62.62 degrees Fahrenheit. The record stood one day until July 4th, which was even hotter at 62.92 degrees.  The previous record was 62.46 degrees, measured on August 14, 2016.  

The third-place record was set despite the many parts per million increases in atmospheric CO2 driving climate change because there was also an El Nino in the Pacific Ocean off California.  An El Nino is an ocean effect when warm water is along the coast instead of offshore.  This is one example of how the ocean determines the climate.  The ocean is so complex that we cannot predict how long the warm El Nino will stay along the continent or when the El Nino will draw back, releasing cold upwelling water to the surface. Every year we are spectators to what the ocean is doing.  

The Arctic Ocean also influences global average temperatures.  The sea ice in the Arctic Ocean has shrunk to cover less than a third of the surface, instead of the historic nearly two-thirds covered ocean.  Most of the Arctic freezes over with the onset of winter in October.  There is an immense increase in the amount of sea ice forming.  Today’s open Arctic Ocean has more than twice as much sea ice formed.  At 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water molecules link up to form a solid, ice.  Because temperatures must be colder before the freezing water could include salt, the brine is excluded, and the sea ice consists of fresh water. 

The cold, briny water next to the ice is the densest water in the world. It sinks, and cold, nutrient-rich Arctic water accelerates the thermohaline circulation of the world’s ocean currents. Thus, in 2011 the Gulf Stream meandered further up onto the continental shelf towards Rhode Island, and in 2007, the Gulf Stream surfaced to warm Svalbard. More water is entering the Arctic Ocean from the Atlantic to increase the summer sea ice’s melt further.  This is why measuring air temperatures in the Arctic could not explain the rapidity of sea ice melt. The power and planetary influence of the ocean were underestimated if considered at all. 

In 1896, Svante Arrenhius, Greta Thunberg’s great, great grandparent’s second cousin, calculated that increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide would increase and result in a 0.2 degree C rise in global temperatures. He was not alarmed because he understood that it would require people to alter the hydrological cycle for this to happen.  Something he thought impossible given the immensity of global systems.  

George Perkins Marsh understood how we were altering global water cycles. In his book Man and Nature, or Physical Geography as Modified by Human Action (1864), Marsh documented how humanity had disrupted the hydrological cycle for 8,000 years. It began with agriculture that worked the land unnaturally. First, the furrow and later, the plow opened the soil to gas out water vapor and carbon.  Green landscapes died by people clearing, burning, furrowing, fertilizing, irrigating, fallowing, and generally messing with nature. Marsh documented the aridification and spread of deserts from Morocco across the Sahara, the Middle East across the Steppes to Mongolia. Our agricultural practices killed soils and stopped plant-driven local water cycles. During the Dust Bowl, Franklin D Roosevelt summed it up, saying, “A nation without soil cannot survive.”

The problem is that atmospheric carbon (CO2) has risen from 350 parts per million or 700 billion tons of global carbon to 420 parts per million, 800 billion tons.  To restore the planet to 350 ppm, we must achieve net zero emissions and then draw down an additional 100 billion tons of carbon.

Where is the carbon to go?  Above-ground global biomass is about 564 billion tons of carbon.  A 20% increase in biomass is quixotic. Despite being a small percentage of the Earth’s surface area, soil holds 2,800 billion tons of organic carbon, about three and a half times the carbon in the atmosphere. One hundred billion tons of carbon is less than 4% of soil’s organic carbon.

Soil is alive and dirt is not. More microbes are found in one cubic meter of soil than people living on Earth. Until recently, we only concerned ourselves with the top six inches. Meanwhile, plant roots were reaching down eight feet or more.  As a result, we know more about the ocean, which is only a little of all there is to know, than we do about the rhizosphere, the realm of soil. 

Soil is one of the few places not powered by the sun.  Instead, plants take sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to manufacture carbohydrates (liquid carbon).  Carbohydrates are the only substance in the universe that naturally defies entropy and can be oxidized to give energy.  Life reverses entropy with carbohydrates and concentrates power up food pyramids to the extent that a pound of swordfish, seven trophic levels up, results from the food energy from 100,000 pounds of phytoplankton.

Soil is living like flesh.  Cut it with a shovel to sever the fungal networks binding the soil together. The transport of carbohydrates from plants is disrupted, as is the flow of nutrients and minerals prepared by bacteria to plants. The opened soil bleeds greenhouse gasses out into the air.

Plants are set in their carbohydrate production ways to always direct the same carbon proportion to biomass and soil. Most plants retain two-thirds of the liquid carbon for biomass. One-third is fed to the soil as root exudates. Prairie grasses, salt marsh, sea grasses, and even lawn grasses are the soil carbon champions. Grasses always direct about half of the carbon to fungi and bacteria in the ground. Grasses create one ton of root exudate and one ton of biomass by drawing down 7.3 tons of CO2. An established lawn (not disrupted by frequent fertilizing) in the best weather can build an inch of soil in a year.  With four inches of soil, the lawn can swell to hold seven inches of rainwater. The more water in the soil, the more plants will grow, and the more carbon dioxide is drawn out of the air. 

Plants regulate microclimates by opening stomata to release water vapor.  When hot, plants release water vapor that evaporates to cool the immediate surroundings. This is why standing beneath a leafy tree on a hot day is cooler than standing in the shade of an awning. Conversely, at the coldest time of day, before dawn, plants actively release water that condenses and forms dew to warm the area. 

Water and bacteria released by plants rise into the air, while water vapor will come together around bacteria to form clouds. A million bacteria with vapor are needed to form a raindrop with sufficient weight to fall to the ground. (Water vapor around dust particles is statically charged and repels to form a haze that is too light to fall.)  

Land covered by plants will reradiate about 20% of the heat energy from the sun. A patch of exposed dirt or an impervious surface such as asphalt warms the planet by reradiating about 60% of the energy.  Water transpired by plants rises to form clouds that both release and capture thermal energy. White puffy cumulus clouds reflect light and further cool the planet. These clouds once covered more than 50% of the Earth. Today, clouds cover less than 50%. 

Each of us can make a difference by stewarding the growth of plants. We may cover cement patios and steps with potted plants and raised beds on hard surfaces. Turning a hardscape to green decreases reradiated heat by three times. Support your local water cycles and enjoy more clouds. Deeping soils hold more water that protects homes from more frequent heavy rains. 

High cirrus clouds retain and radiate much less thermal energy into space.  This gives water vapour the distinction of being the world’s largest greenhouse gas, weighing in at 1,000 times the concentration of carbon dioxide. Fortunately, we need just a few percentage points more cumulus clouds to swing the balance to cool the planet.

With more water held in the ground, plants draw down more carbon to manufacture more organic carbon. Organic carbon can go in one of two directions.  Carbon can either burn/oxidize or be stored in soil and sediments.  Soils may undergo a chemical transformation to form hummus, where carbon is held for thousands of years. 

We must increase soil carbon by 4% and planetary reradiation with more clouds and less carbon dioxide by 2% to right the wrongs.  Less than 20% of the world’s lands are covered by soil, and around 40% are deserts and degraded soils. This does not include urban areas. With incremental increases in more plants, especially grasses, healthier soils, and restored local water cycles, we will live more comfortably while restoring the climate without unwanted July 4th climate fireworks.


Dr. Rob Moir

Dr. Rob Moir is a nationally-recognized and award-winning environmentalist. He is president & executive director of Cambridge, MA-based Ocean River Institute, a nonprofit providing expertise, services, resources, and information unavailable on a localized level to support the efforts of environmental organizations. Please visit www.oceanriver.org for more information


More Articles from Dr. Rob Moir


[xyz-ihs snippet=”Prepared-by-PK”]

Feature Destination

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – August 2023 – Issue 99

Cover Issue 99 August copy

Feature Destination

Peru Passes Important Ocean Protection Law to Protect The First Five Nautical Miles at Sea

The approval of the law recognizing ancestral and artisanal fishing is a historic milestone that guarantees the protection of this zone, benefiting over 50,000 artisanal fishermen who provide 80% of the fish that feeds the Peruvian population. Read more…

Hiking Through History: How Can You Discover Peru’s Past on Foot?

Peru is an ancient country with a complex history. The Incan Empire, who lived here from around 1200 AD, played a vital role in the country’s development until it was conquered by the Spanish in the 1500s. Read more…

Rare Peruvian Diving-Petrels Nesting on Chañaral Island Following Decades of Absence

Endangered Peruvian Diving Petrel in Flight

Peruvian Diving-petrels (known locally as “yuncos”) are small ground-nesting seabirds endemic to the Humboldt Current System that flows along the western coast of South America. Read more…

UNESCO Designates 11 New Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme has approved the designation of 10 new biospheres reserves in 9 countries, and one transboundary biosphere reserve across 2 countries. With these new designations, the World Network now totals 748 sites in 134 countries, including 23 transboundary sites. Read more…


NEWSROOM

Blue Movement Directory: A New, Updated, Geo-Map-Based Guide Empowering Ocean Action Worldwide

Blue Frontier, the nationally recognized nonprofit organization founded in 2003 and known as “The Voice for Ocean Action,” is proud to announce the launch of its newly updated, revised and geo-map-based Blue Movement Directory. Read more…

Nice Dive & Trips To Madagascar: Explore Nosy Be and Save Endangered Lemurs

Premier tour agency based in Vienna, Austria, NiCe Dive & Trips GmbH has launched an exclusive travel to the captivating archipelago of Nosy Be, Madagascar from the 25th of September to the 4th of October 2023. Read more…

Curtin University’s Prof. Robert McCauley Honored as Top Marine Scientist for Pioneering Whale Song Research

A pioneering marine scientist, whose dedication has contributed to a greater understanding of the secret life of whales through their song, has today been honoured among Australia’s top marine scientists. Read more…

Novel Research Takes Marine Conservation Tools to a New Dimension

We hope that our findings will spark a broader discussion about the urgency to leverage any and all credible data to better understand and mitigate the threats posed to leatherbacks by fisheries. The tool presents an opportunity to spark dialogue about sea turtle conservation and to inform efforts to reduce fisheries impacts. Read more…

Mindful Conservation: Why We Need a New Respect for Nature

As a biologist, I am trained to believe that data is everything. I have collected data and published scientific articles for more than 25 years. But while scientific data certainly is important to underpin the need to protect landscapes, to create protected areas and to restore biodiversity, it’s just one aspect of how we can work towards safeguarding nature. Read more…

The Most Definitive List of The World’s Best Beaches Ever Created Is Released

The World’s 50 Best Beaches, Presented By Banana Boat, has released a new list of the best beaches in the world. The list is a collaboration with over 750 of the world’s leading travel influencers and professionals, including many of the biggest names in travel such as Jyo Shankar, Pilot Madeleine, Dame Traveler and others. Read more…

Discover White Charks & More in 3D: Cutting-Edge, Interactive Shark and Ray Displays Bring The Ocean to Life

The Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) is bringing sharks to life, thanks to interactive 3D models that will be available across various platforms. Visitors to the World of Sharks website can investigate the biology and evolution of sharks and rays by rotating first-of-their-kind models online at the SOSF’s flagship information repository. Read more…

SAY GOODBYE TO LIDS FOR GOOD: ChoosePlanetA Launches Ground-Breaking First Single-use Paper Cup

The unique and patented paper cup comes with an integrated top flap that easily folds and locks into place which does away with the traditional use of plastic lids. Made from a bio-based, 100% certified home compostable paper, it is also free from PE (Polyethylene) coating. Read more…

The Reef-World Foundation is a Winner of The Escape 100: Awards for The Top Purpose-Led Organisations to Work At

James Greenhalgh, Digital Strategy Manager at The Reef-World Foundation, commented: “The Reef-World Foundation is a phenomenal place to work where everyone’s contribution is valued, and our team is able to punch well above our weight in terms of conservation impact. Read more…

The World’s First App Store to Lead The Fight Against Climate Change

Greenly, the leading carbon accounting and management platform, announced today the launch of The Climate App Store, the world’s first app store focused on providing tools to measure and reduce users’ carbon footprints. Read more…

MSU Researchers Offer Enhanced Definition of ‘Climate-Smart Forestry’

Over the last few decades, forests have become an increasingly important focus of international investment, in efforts to promote change in global deforestation and degradation trends, and as a means to reduce and remove atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG). Read more…

How We Created the Hottest Global Average Temperature Day and What to Do About It

July 3rd was the hottest day recorded as a global average of temperatures taken at hundreds of sites worldwide. The worldwide average for that day was 62.62 degrees Fahrenheit. The record stood one day until July 4th, which was even hotter at 62.92 degrees. Read more…

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners Announces Recipients of $3.5 Million Global Sustainable Fisheries Initiative

Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, a program of the Schmidt Family Foundation, has awarded $3.5 million in grants to ten organizations and universities in seven countries for the development of new tools and innovations that will improve the sustainability of global fisheries, the program announced today. Read more…

WeWhale Launches Merchandise Collection, with 100% of The Profits Going Directly to Whale & Dolphin Protection Projects

The whale and dolphin projects being supported are of vital importance. Among them is the development of an innovative system that helps prevent collisions between vessels and cetaceans, as well as the creation of a sanctuary where captured marine mammals can be released and returned to their natural home. Read more…


SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup & Coral Restoration Events in Marine Protected Areas

Monthly Beach Cleanup Event from July 28, 2023

Clean Uo event for July 28, 2023

Coral Nursery & Restoration Activity Update: July 2023

In July 2023, SEVENSEAS Media conducted two impactful events in Krabi, Thailand. The Monthly Beach Cleanup Event at Ao Sew Beach saw enthusiastic volunteers remove a staggering 150.6 kilograms of trash, underscoring the pressing issue of marine pollution and the significance of sustainable practices like reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. The organization stressed the importance of proper waste management to protect coastal ecosystems.

Meanwhile, in the face of an unexpected storm, SEVENSEAS Media’s Coral Nursery & Restoration team demonstrated unwavering dedication, rescuing and relocating 75 corals to safer locations, bolstering their chances of survival and growth. The team outlined a comprehensive plan for continued coral recovery missions and data collection efforts throughout the year. The recent storm served as a stark reminder of the urgency to safeguard coral reefs from climate change impacts. We would like to express our gratitude for the support received from individuals and communities in this conservation community. We would not be able to do it without your support. You can make a tax-deductible donation here to keep our publications and Thailand Cleanup Project afloat.

You can either make a direct financial contribution to SEVENSEAS Media through The Ocean Foundation website or connect us with potential donors by sending an email to  Giacomo Abrusci, our Editor-in-Chief.


The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here


[xyz-ihs snippet=”Prepared-by-PK”]

Continue Reading

Clean Up Events & Coral Restoration

SEVENSEAS Media Coral Nursery & Restoration Activity Update: July 2023

Amidst an unexpected storm, our diving team persists, rescuing and relocating corals to safer nurseries while forging ahead with essential data collection for the preservation of marine life in Krabi Thailand.

This month, our coral nursery and restoration team recently commenced a mission to rescue and relocate corals in the face of adversity. Despite facing unforeseen challenges, the team demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to safeguarding these fragile ecosystems.

During a routine visit to the nursery, the team found themselves caught in the clutches of an unexpected storm, leaving them stranded for nearly four hours. Despite the adversity, their passion for conservation never wavered. With unyielding determination, they rescued a total of 75 corals from the previous nurseries and relocated them to new, safer havens at deeper locations. The efforts made during this critical mission are expected to increase the corals’ chances of survival and growth.

Undeterred by the challenges faced, our team has laid out a comprehensive plan to continue its mission throughout the year. Starting immediately, they will venture out twice a week until December 2023, combining coral recovery missions with essential data collection efforts.

As the project unfolds, more updates will be provided, shedding light on the progress made, the challenges overcome, and the discoveries unearthed through their rigorous scientific data collection. Rest assured, we will keep our marine community and the public informed about our mission to preserve and restore our invaluable coral ecosystems.

We would like to express our gratitude for all support received from individuals, organizations, and communities alike. Without this collective backing, such conservation efforts would not be possible. Every contribution, whether big or small, has played an instrumental role in our success so far.

In light of the recent storm’s impact, the next nursery outing will see a slight shift in focus. Instead of planting new corals, the team will prioritize the collection and regrouping of survivors, salvaging them from the damage caused by the freak storm. The decision to establish a new nursery at a deeper location is a strategic measure aimed at bolstering the corals’ resilience against future storms.

With a notable absence of storms of this magnitude for over five years, this event serves as a stark reminder of the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns and the urgent need to safeguard our coral reefs from the impacts of climate change.

Stay tuned for more updates, data insights, and stories of resilience as we continue our inspiring journey to save and revitalize the reef in Krabi. Your continued support will make all the difference in this race against time to protect one of Earth’s most precious ecosystems.

Note: The above information is based on the latest update from SEVENSEAS Media Coral Nursery & Restoration activities in July 2023. Further developments and updates will be shared once available.


[xyz-ihs snippet=”Prepared-by-PK”]

Continue Reading

Clean Up Events & Coral Restoration

SEVENSEAS Media Beach Cleanup Event from July 28, 2023

A Total of 150.6 Kilograms of Trash Removed, Highlighting the Importance of Sustainable Practices

Krabi, Thailand, witnessed another successful beach cleanup event organized by SEVENSEAS Media on July 28, 2023. With the breathtaking backdrop of Ao Sew, volunteers joined forces to combat the pressing issue of marine pollution and its devastating impact on our oceans.

Under the scorching sun and amidst the soothing waves, our volunteers collected an impressive 150.6 kilograms of trash from this seemingly small beach. The amount is truly alarming, reflecting the scale of the marine pollution crisis. However, it also showcases the unwavering commitment of individuals who strive to protect our coastal ecosystems.

The collected debris was segregated, with 19 kilograms earmarked for recycling—a testament to the potential of converting waste into valuable resources. A total of 27 bags were used to store the collected trash, symbolizing the sheer volume of litter that relentlessly finds its way onto our pristine shores.

SEVENSEAS Media understands that the ultimate solution to marine pollution lies in tackling the problem at its source. While beach cleanups play a crucial role in mitigating immediate impacts, the key to long-term change lies in reducing waste production and adopting sustainable practices.

Individuals can make a significant difference by embracing the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. By being mindful of our consumption habits and opting for eco-friendly alternatives, we can minimize the generation of waste that often ends up in our oceans. Reusing items wherever possible and recycling materials that can be repurposed help close the loop and decrease the burden on our environment.

It is also important to ensure that the waste we do produce is disposed of correctly. Implementing proper waste management systems, supporting recycling initiatives, and promoting composting can go a long way in diverting trash from entering our seas.

Our monthly beach cleanup serves as a reminder that the fight against marine pollution is ongoing, and our collective efforts can drive positive change. The beauty of Ao Sew, Krabi, and countless other coastal treasures around the world depends on our commitment to protecting them.

Be a part of SEVENSEAS Media’s Beach Cleanup in Krabi, Thailand, and help combat marine pollution. Join us to remove tons of trash from the beach and make a powerful impact on our environment. The date of the event will be announced on our Facebook Page. If you can’t make it in person? Show your support with a donation to keep our mission going.


[xyz-ihs snippet=”Prepared-by-PK”]

Continue Reading

Trending