The "Dead Zone" and the "Life Expectancy Zone".

On the Real-Life Dead Zones...

currently forming in our oceans and their end-result: the destruction of all sea life in these zones. We were recently awe-struck by a presentation given by Professor (Zoology, Oregon State University) Jane Lubchenco (sp?) regarding the formation of an immense dead zone in the sea along the coast of Oregon. Dr. Lubchenco presented underwater photographs of the underwater carnage (after) photos and of the once-active life zone (before) that this area once was. The presentation was on C-Span (Energy Choices and Global Warming).

The photographs themselves were more terrifying than the data presented. What's happened here on the coast of Oregon, is that the sea life is being destroyed by hypoxia. That is, the disappearance of life-sustaining oxygen from these (and other waters around the world). Dr. Lubchenco said the only evidence to currently connect to the disappearance of the sea life must be due to global warming. The two phenomena appear to related by their proximity. More measurement and data might be needed to more firmly connect the two, but perhaps we are running out of time...

The sea floor in the current photos was littered with dead fish and dead Dungeness crabs. It was an awesome sight. We wonder how much more sea floor will be covered with dead sea life. Will this continue - will it halt? What do we do in the meantime?

No objections to the relationship between hypoxia, dead zones and global warming were presented by the audience nor the rest of the panel. Some of the panel seemed assured that the facts and connections were right. One of the panelists (we can't identify which) stated that the US currently consumes 6 million more barrels of petroleum per day than we can currently produce. The message is clear: Global Warming or not, our energy choices will change. The choice is no longer our own.

After this frightening presentation (before? see the C-Span schedule) we then saw some of the program "Science, Health, and an Aging Society". One of the main presentation points presented by the panel that impressed us was that life expectancy is increasing. At least one of our editors is not so sure. The editor has at least two doubts on life expectancy increasing - but he feels this trend will turn downward. With the current state of our oceans, running out of life-giving resources like fish and crab, how are we supposed to sustain our population(s)? Don't the seas provide half the food and revenues needed by most of the human population? If the oceans do die (as previously predicted, in the next 50 years) how will humanity sustain itself without these vital resources and revenues?

The other complaint this editor has is that he has already seen the downward trend firsthand. He is currently living well below the poverty level. He is currently without adequate nutrition and expects to experience malnutrition in the very near term. He has previously applied for assistance but has only been offered some $ 10 per month in food stamps (which is typical, in Michigan) and no health care assistance. Disgusted with this, he has given up his re-application for these benefits in protest. But, forgive us, we have digressed...

Its the case of diminishing resources. Life expectancy trends cannot continue upward if global warming and resource destruction (like sea life, food, etc...) continues to be destroyed. As a result of their close proximity, he expects the "Dead Zone" to coincide with the "Life Expectancy Zone" - with disastrous consequences.