One with a bit of ecological intuition can see signs of global ecosystem collapse all around. The red tides hitting North Eastern United States are the direct result of poor land and ocean management for centuries, which exacerbate normal ocean cycles. The region's clams are the canaries in the coal mine. Oceans are in poor shape - particulary coastal zones - as they have been treated as waste dumps and a resource to be mined indiscrimately. The critical zone where land meets sea has been devasted just about everywhere. What happens when ocean dead zones encompass the globe?

Red tide puts strain on Northeast

New England is facing its largest red tide in decades. The naturally occurring algae, called Alexandrium, contaminates clams, oysters, and other mollusks that filter seawater for nutrients and can cause illness in humans who consume the shellfish.