“Record heat has already killed a billion marine animals” – Corriere.it

As a result, one billion animals have died off the west coast of Canada The latest heat wave, In which the record temperature was reached. A team of British Columbia scientists rang the alarm, Quoted Defender, Exemplifies damage to vulnerable ecosystems unaccustomed to extreme temperatures. The heat has been rising for the past few weeks Over 50 degrees for several days on the beach, In Canada and the United States. At least 500 people died in British Columbia, while hundreds of parts of the land were destroyed by fire.

But according to experts, the situation has also affected marine life. Christopher Harley, A marine biologist at the University of British Columbia has estimated that one billion marine animals have – in fact – died in the Salish Sea between British Columbia and the state of Washington: Starfish, mollusks, snails, reef fish, But also a good part of plants like sea anemones. Experts have warned that it should Get used to the new reality of sudden and lasting heat waves, Which may be more common due to climate change. Another heat wave is expected to hit western America and southwestern Canada next week.

“The shore is not usually noisy when you walk on it, but there are now Many empty muscle shells are scattered everywhereUnable to walk on dead animals, ”Harley explained, describing the gods Thousands of rotting bombs were found off Vancouver beach. With one of his students, the professor used infrared cameras to measure the temperature, recording temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius on a rocky beach. “Many species – he clarified – can’t Proceed with the pace of change. Ecosystems will change in ways that are more difficult to predict. “