GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -As the excessive heat and energy warms the ocean, the change in temperature leads to unparalleled cascading effects, including ice-melting, sea-level rise, marine heatwaves, and ocean acidification.

Detailed explanation-2: -Fish are cold-blooded so an increase in ocean temperatures will increase metabolism, driving the demand for more oxygen. However, warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, meaning that there is less oxygen available to meet this greater demand. This can lead to increased mortality and decreased reproductive capacity.

Detailed explanation-3: -Just as humans have preferred temperature ranges, so do many of the animals that call the ocean home. While marine mammals have been shown to be quite resilient to changing ocean conditions, the food that seals, sea lions, whales and dolphins depend on has been shown to change locations due to warming water.

Detailed explanation-4: -Rising temperatures lower many species survival rates due to changes that lead to less food, less successful reproduction, and interfering with the environment for native wildlife. These detrimental changes are already apparent in our National Capital Area parks.