In The Blogs

Sea Snot: Climate Change Gets Gross

| Tue Oct. 13, 2009 2:01 PM PDT

What's grosser than gross? Two words: Sea mucus. National Geographic has the scoop on marine mucilages, "jello-like sheets of disease-carrying mucus" that are spreading across the Mediterranean Sea. If you have not eaten in the last hour, check out the video below. A recent study found that sea-snot outbreaks increase when water temperatures rise, making this perhaps the most revolting evidence yet of the unexpected effects of climate change. It has some competition from the Arctic blob, a "fibrous, hairy" black goo that mysteriously appeared off Alaska this summer. It turned out to be an algae bloom, and one scientist suggested it had something to do with climate change. Global blob takeover—do you really need any more reason to get serious about global warming?

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Dave Gilson is a senior editor at Mother Jones. For more of his stories, click here.

Comments

It is horrifying to see our

Submitted by genie rae (not verified) on Mon Oct. 19, 2009 7:08 AM PDT.

It is horrifying to see our gorgeous planet turn into garbage, but until the peoples of the world come together to stop the human destruction of our environment, it will only get worse. So much ignorance, so much greed, too few of those who are awake to make a difference. I appeal to you who are reading this to throw off your apathy, and get involved, future generations are depending on you! Make waves now, tomorrow may be too late!

How?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon Oct. 19, 2009 7:43 AM PDT.

"I appeal to you who are reading this to throw off your apathy, and get involved"

So, how do you suggest one "gets involved"? What action have you taken, if any? Or do you just make a habit of telling others what to do while you do nothing, like most so-called environmentalists? I bet your Subaru is covered with bossy hippy-stickers, you recycle and buy what you're told is "organic" and little else...admit it.

I don't know about that

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue Oct. 20, 2009 8:54 AM PDT.

I don't know about that annonymous poster. But myself?
I have been buying all my goods localy, grow what I can in my own garden, took every measure I can to make my home more energy efficient, recycle everything, buy as many recycled goods as possible. I'm saving up to convert my house to solar and maybe even get off the grid. I drive a little 2 seater nissan, my wige drives a prius ( I can't afford one yet) and I try to teach others how they can be less of a drag on the planet. What have you done Annonymous?

How????

Submitted by DaveG (not verified) on Mon Oct. 19, 2009 9:05 AM PDT.

Anonymous: I guess you're not an environmentalist. You don't believe that human induced climate change is occurring. You believe everything you are told by the right-wing radio and Fox News. You drive around in you full-size SUV and make fun of people on economy cars.

How? First, you have to accept that people have an impact on their environment. You would have to be blind to not see the impact locally: roads, trash, smoke, oil slicks in the parking lot, gas spills at the gas station, etc. It is not much of a stretch to extend the effect globally. Then, you educate yourself by reading and listening, instead of denigrating those you don't agree with about things your choose not to believe. Then, you get involved. Locally. Writing letters to your congressman and senators, letters to the editor. You will grow as you begin to better understand the issues. Then you stay true to the cause, because it will be easy to get discouraged. You are now in the minority of people who are active.
May God bless our cause!

Has anyone thought to use

Submitted by Kitty_tc (not verified) on Tue Oct. 20, 2009 11:22 AM PDT.

Has anyone thought to use this stuff for fuel? Or that, if it's algae like the stuff in alaska, that it's taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere where it will eventually sink it to the bottom of the ocean when it dies? Not everything is doom and gloom.