Because of human activities like burning coal and gasoline carbon dioxide has increased 40% in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution.
The ocean has absorbed at least 25% of this carbon dioxide and its acidifying the waters. This is resulting in harmful conditions to marine life.
It is worse in the Gulf of Mexico than in the open ocean and threatens important coastal ecosystems.
This is according to a study co-authored by a team of Texas A&M University professors lead by Texas A&M oceanographer Katie Shamberger. Their work is published in the journal, "Scientific Reports."
Rep. Poncho Nevarez
It was last year on Sept. 6 that DPS surveillance video captured State Representative Alfonzo "Poncho" Nevarez at the Austin Bergstrom Airport as he accidentally dropped an envelope that contained cocaine.
The Eagle Pass Democrat faced a charge of possession of a controlled substance. Weeks later Nevarez turned himself into authorities, was booked and released on bond. Eventually the charge would be dropped.
Nevarez admitted that the cocaine was his. And he announced he would not seek re-election to represent his border district. But Nevarez has not resigned his seat nor has he stepped down as chairman of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee which oversees the DPS.
Since that fateful day at the airport, Nevarez has been working to deal with his addictions and maintain his sobriety. Nevarez recently wrote an essay on his blog about his journey to sobriety – titled “How I’m Doing.”
David Martin Davies can be reached at DMDavies@TPR.org and on Twitter at @DavidMartinDavi.
