Barry Law Environmental and Earth Law Journal

Nov. 24, 2025

Sea turtles have long been known for their patience, longevity and stability. Having been around for over 110 million years and living up to 100 years at a time, they symbolize a long lasting, stable and patient creature that has faced several challenges since its existence and continues to persevere. [1] Of the seven species of sea turtles, six of them live in United States waters and are protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. [2] The most common sea turtle in Florida, the Loggerhead, and “hosts approximately 90 percent of the nests” of the loggerhead turtle most commonly found along the east coast of the State. [3] Although, the symbolism of the sea turtle is inspiring, it seems that it is coming to a bitter end with the decline of the population globally.

            The decline of the population is due to many factors, pollution, poaching, over-exploitation, habitat destruction and climate change, although climate change may have the most significant impact of them all. [4] Climate change has had a destructive impact on the population of the animal due to temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). [5] Generally, sex is determined at the time of fertilization. [6] However, sea turtles, and other reptiles, lay eggs on the land and the sex is determined during the incubation period of the nesting egg. [7] Over the embryo development period, which lasts approximately 70 days, the embryo will develop its reproductive organs based on the temperature of the incubation nest. [8] The pivotal temperature is about 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit, or 29 degrees Celsius, warmer temperatures above 87.8 degrees Fahrenheit, or 31 degree Celsius, will trigger female reproductive organs and cooler temperatures below 81.86 degrees Fahrenheit, or 27.7 degrees Celsius, will trigger male reproductive organs. [9] TSD is a efficient fertilization process as it helps reptiles adjust to slight environmental change, however, climate change could be working must faster than TSD can keep up with. [10]

            In turn, climate change has drastically affected the gender ratio of sea turtle population and has resulted in a gender ration imbalance. In Florida, by July 2024 summer temperatures state wide have increased by 2.9 degrees Fahrenheit. [11]Although this may not seem like a drastic temperature change, warmer temperatures are drastically impacting the gender of sea turtles as hatchlings have almost exclusively been female for the last 4 years and males sea turtles have been outnumbered by females 10 to 1.[12] “Increased temperatures could result in skewed and even lethal incubation conditions, which would impact turtle species” as stated by the National Ocean Service as if the nesting area becomes extremely warm it could be lethal to the nesting eggs.[13]

            The effects of the gender imbalance is causing limited genetic diversity within the species and could affect the population in the near future. Without a proper ratio of female to male sea turtles it could cause extinction, as sea turtles are already an endangered species. The lack of male sea turtle population is challenging to maintain breeding with female sea turtles as it is necessary to have both enough female and male turtles to maintain a healthy population.[14] Even with TSD assisting with slight environmental changes, this population could be well on it’s way to extinction. [15]

            Climate conservation is a possible solution for this skewed gender ratio in order to assist a growing male population and conserving incubation nests on the beaches to keep them at a cooler temperature. [16] Migration is also another possible solution to move sea turtles further from the equator to beaches along the northern coast to allow them to hatch more males.[16]

            The endangerment of sea turtles serves as a critical reminder that even the most enduring symbols of patience, longevity, and stability face significant threats. As stewards of the environment, it is our responsibility to implement effective conservation strategies, ensuring this vital species, not only survive but thrive, preserving their vital role for future generations.

Written by Sereen Mustafa, Associate Editor 2024-2025.