Julie Angus Saw Man's Impact on Oceans Firsthand
Rowing Across the Atlantic Ocean Reveals Environmental Changes
Oct 22, 2008
Julie's book, Rowboat in a Hurricane (Greystone Books, 2008) is her account of the trip. In Rowing Through Hurricanes Across the Atlantic, Julie described being hit by Hurricane Vince, and then, even though the "official" hurricane season should have been over, by Hurricane Epsilon as well as two tropical storms.
The unexpected timing and severity of the storms, and other environmental changes Julie Angus saw on the Atlantic crossing are evidence of man's impact on the ocean ecosystem. Here is more of Julie's first-hand account, in her own words.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms have become More Frequent and More Powerful
Not only were the storms [of 2005] numerous, but many of them were lengthier and more powerful than their predecessors, and this year also included the costliest (Rita), most intense (Wilma), and longest lasting January (Zeta) storm. In 2005 scientists at MIT found that the power of hurricanes (the energy they release) has nearly doubled in the last three decades. The once rare monsters, category four and five hurricanes with winds speeds over 210 kilometres per hour, doubled in number during a similar time frame and 2005 became the only year with four category five storms.
So why are hurricanes on the Atlantic more numerous and powerful than ever before? To answer this it is important to understand the fundamentals of cyclonic storm formation. Several meteorological conditions must be present for a tropical storm to be born: minimal wind shear, high humidity and warm water temperatures. Of these factors there is one that has been changing over the decades; water temperature. Ocean temperature has increased 0.7 degrees Celsius in the last 100 years creating enhanced conditions for hurricanes to form and flourish.
Garbage, Ocean Currents, Fewer Sharks all Evidence of Environmental Change
But changing hurricane activity is just one of the clues hinting at the struggles the ocean faces. Warming waters, acidification, pollution and overfishing are simultaneously stressing our seas. During our five-month crossing we saw reams of garbage, severely diminished ocean currents, and observed sharks in numbers far lower than expected. Our journey helped us understand that immensity does not grant the ocean immunity from man-made perils, but instead hides the devastation from public awareness. Ironically, it is the absence of human populations on the ocean that allows destructive actions to continue unabated, and for it to be treated as a dumping ground for terrestrial dwellers.
Despite the deteriorating state of our oceans, the waters around our boat bespoke of the beauty and the fragility of the sea. Dorado and trigger fish trailed our boat for thousands of kilometres, magnificent frigate birds swooped overhead, and schools of flying fish soared through the air. The ocean is a precious place, an environment that is just as important for our health and wellbeing as it is for the creatures that inhabit its dark blue waters, and we must protect it.
