Penguins
December 16, 2006 3:34 PM Subscribe
Penguins offer evidence of global warming another indicator of climate change.
Well, they did stop Antarctic fishing after all that dancing...
posted by Sticherbeast at 4:26 PM on December 16, 2006
posted by Sticherbeast at 4:26 PM on December 16, 2006
They eat fish, squid and tiny creatures called krill.
Why does the author think people don't know what krill is?
They eat sea animals called fish, little swimmers called squid, and tiny creatures called krill.
posted by Meatbomb at 4:27 PM on December 16, 2006
Why does the author think people don't know what krill is?
They eat sea animals called fish, little swimmers called squid, and tiny creatures called krill.
posted by Meatbomb at 4:27 PM on December 16, 2006
If we show "Cute" animals suffering from global warming we might have a shot at making a dent.
posted by PreteFunkEra at 4:28 PM on December 16, 2006
posted by PreteFunkEra at 4:28 PM on December 16, 2006
Rumor has it that the scientists were impressed by one particular penguins attempts at communication. Whereas the others made singing noises to attract their mates and chicks, this one used some sort of improvised dance.
I heard they were considering making a documentary about it.
posted by quin at 4:28 PM on December 16, 2006
I heard they were considering making a documentary about it.
posted by quin at 4:28 PM on December 16, 2006
If we show "Cute" animals suffering from global warming we might have a shot at making a dent.
Most of the reasonable debate surrounding the topic does not dispute the claim that global warming is occuring, but that it is being meaningfully caused by human activity, and/or that it is reversable by the means suggested by Kyoto and other proposals to cut greenhouse gases.
The only discussion of human-caused global warming in this article is the following paragraph:
When asked whether there is any doubt that this is a consequence of human-fuelled global warming, Ainley offered a flat "No" in reply.
How a penguin researcher would be able to answer with such authority, I have no idea.
posted by loquax at 4:54 PM on December 16, 2006
Most of the reasonable debate surrounding the topic does not dispute the claim that global warming is occuring, but that it is being meaningfully caused by human activity, and/or that it is reversable by the means suggested by Kyoto and other proposals to cut greenhouse gases.
The only discussion of human-caused global warming in this article is the following paragraph:
When asked whether there is any doubt that this is a consequence of human-fuelled global warming, Ainley offered a flat "No" in reply.
How a penguin researcher would be able to answer with such authority, I have no idea.
posted by loquax at 4:54 PM on December 16, 2006
If we show "Cute" animals suffering from global warming we might have a shot at making a dent.
What makes you say they are suffering?
Adelie penguins have moved around depending on the temperature at least since the so-called Little Ice Age that occurred around the year 1200, Ainley said.
Changing their behavior in response to changes in their environment sounds more like adaptation than suffering. It doesn't look like these animals are suffering any more or less than any other wild animal typically does (after accounting for the fact that some wild animals live in the beautiful, relaxing tropics while some, like these, live in hellish, god-forsaken cold).
It's unclear if any policy changes could remedy this or if it would be worth it to implement such policies if they could.
posted by noahpoah at 5:23 PM on December 16, 2006
What makes you say they are suffering?
Adelie penguins have moved around depending on the temperature at least since the so-called Little Ice Age that occurred around the year 1200, Ainley said.
Changing their behavior in response to changes in their environment sounds more like adaptation than suffering. It doesn't look like these animals are suffering any more or less than any other wild animal typically does (after accounting for the fact that some wild animals live in the beautiful, relaxing tropics while some, like these, live in hellish, god-forsaken cold).
It's unclear if any policy changes could remedy this or if it would be worth it to implement such policies if they could.
posted by noahpoah at 5:23 PM on December 16, 2006
What makes you say they are suffering?
They will suffer eventually because the ecosystem balance will be disrupted. If a certain kind of species increases uncontrollably (much faster than its environment can handle) the species will run out of the resources it depends on for its survival.
posted by carmina at 5:35 PM on December 16, 2006
They will suffer eventually because the ecosystem balance will be disrupted. If a certain kind of species increases uncontrollably (much faster than its environment can handle) the species will run out of the resources it depends on for its survival.
posted by carmina at 5:35 PM on December 16, 2006
Bah. Sounds like more penguin propaganda to me. There as untrustworthy as pigs and spiders.
posted by homunculus at 7:00 PM on December 16, 2006
posted by homunculus at 7:00 PM on December 16, 2006
There = They're.
posted by homunculus at 7:03 PM on December 16, 2006
posted by homunculus at 7:03 PM on December 16, 2006
Aren't they going to disappear as the seafood population does?
And are the adult penguins ok with their kids being caught and tagged? Doesn't it cause the parents to not want to touch them anymore (or is that just mammals)?
posted by amberglow at 7:11 PM on December 16, 2006
And are the adult penguins ok with their kids being caught and tagged? Doesn't it cause the parents to not want to touch them anymore (or is that just mammals)?
posted by amberglow at 7:11 PM on December 16, 2006
If a certain kind of species increases uncontrollably (much faster than its environment can handle) the species will run out of the resources it depends on for its survival.
Thank fuck it's just a bunch of penguins and not us. Oh... shit.
posted by twistedonion at 7:13 PM on December 16, 2006
Thank fuck it's just a bunch of penguins and not us. Oh... shit.
posted by twistedonion at 7:13 PM on December 16, 2006
Damn those penguins and their liberal agenda
First the gay sex, and now this!
posted by Target Practice at 11:48 PM on December 16, 2006
First the gay sex, and now this!
posted by Target Practice at 11:48 PM on December 16, 2006
Aren't they going to disappear as the seafood population does?
Penguins don't eat seafood, defined as fish and whatnot close to shore and mass consumed by humans. There are no commercial fishing operations that I know of in Antarctica. That study does not claim all sea life is disappearing, only that if current trends continue for 50 years, most species of fish consumed by humans will be 90% gone. In fact, another study recently released asserts that the amount of life in the deep ocean and Antarctica has been underestimated by orders of magnitude.
posted by loquax at 9:42 AM on December 17, 2006
Penguins don't eat seafood, defined as fish and whatnot close to shore and mass consumed by humans. There are no commercial fishing operations that I know of in Antarctica. That study does not claim all sea life is disappearing, only that if current trends continue for 50 years, most species of fish consumed by humans will be 90% gone. In fact, another study recently released asserts that the amount of life in the deep ocean and Antarctica has been underestimated by orders of magnitude.
posted by loquax at 9:42 AM on December 17, 2006
ahhh....thanks.
but what about the whole food chain thing? Wouldn't the same things that will make the seafood pop disappear affect the warming waters (and melting) of the Antarctic too?
posted by amberglow at 10:58 AM on December 17, 2006
but what about the whole food chain thing? Wouldn't the same things that will make the seafood pop disappear affect the warming waters (and melting) of the Antarctic too?
posted by amberglow at 10:58 AM on December 17, 2006
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posted by hal9k at 4:02 PM on December 16, 2006