In addition to the famous impacts of atmospheric carbon on global warming, there is an equally worrisome effect of carbon dioxide on the oceans: ocean acidification (or OA for short). Here at I2SEA we have a series of resources about OA, including Our Acidifying Ocean, which is an introductory activity and virtual lab (note: now mobile compatible!).
A student suggested that we start a conversation topic about OA, and here it is! Have you heard about Ocean Acidification? If so, are you worried about it? How do you think we can best raise awareness about it among your fellow students and the general public? Have you seen particularly good links or films about OA that you would like to share? What are you doing to address the problem?
Ocean Acidification >
Are you worried about ocean acidification? If so, why?
I am worried about ocean acidification because I am an animal lover and I want the best for these creatures. Oysters are not the only animals that are suffering from ocean acidification. All kinds of animals from little crabs to whales. The pH level is also decreasing which is becoming acidic and that is not good for sea animals because it makes their skin and their shells softer which means they will not be able to protect themselves from predators . Which will change the whole food chain. We also rely on those animals for food and that will be hard for some people to make that change. We will also not be able to have pets from the ocean because they are extinct. We will also not be able to find new species of animals and there are land animals that hang out in the water so they fight and also get this effect.
I agree with you because sea animals are important in this world. The ocean will no longer be able to perform many of its essential functions, leading to a lower quality of life. People will starve as they lose one of their main food sources. The effects of a world without fish in the sea would be felt by everyone.
I am really worried about the increasing ocean acidification because we know that it was one cause of “The Great Dying” which could mean we are going into the next mass extinction. Overall, we really need to help our oceans and save the lives that inhabit the sea.
I am also very worried about ocean acidification because I live in a costal area and a lot of our money comes from lobstering and fishing and if the ocean becomes too acidic this will really interfere with how my area runs and thrives. I know that this contradicts itself though, we are contributing to ocean acidification by boating all the time but like I said earlier it is a big part of how my town survives.
Why I worry about ocean acidification.
Ocean acidification will affect many creatures and people in many ways. From living on the coast there is a great amount of families whose jobs are on the ocean. With ocean acidification, wildlife would be affected causing our fisherman to lose their jobs.
Yes, I totally agree. The current amounts of ocean acidification happening are a huge problem and huge part of climate change. Ocean acidification occurs because the ocean naturally absorbs carbon dioxide from our atmosphere. However, with the increased carbon dioxide levels humans have been emitting into the air, the ocean is also absorbing even more carbon dioxide. This overall lowers our oceans' pH levels by making the waters more acidic, to an unhealthy extent. So from this knowledge, to me it seems like many of these various negative effects of climate change are linked to one another, many of them having the same root cause. And by helping to mitigate one aspect of climate change, it is possible that many other issues would be stopped or slowed with it. For example, global warming and ocean acidification. Since the ocean is absorbing way too much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, when we someday find a way to lower CO2 emissions the globe will stop warming so fast. And in addition, these lowered levels of CO2 will stop the ocean's pH levels from dropping any more, towards an even worse toxically acidic zone. And yes, I also worry about ocean acidification because of how much harm we can see it already causing, in so many different ways. The first to be in harm's way is of course all forms of marine life and sea environments, which make up 75% of our planet! But ocean acidification is also heartbreakingly detrimental towards so many ecosystems, forms of wildlife, all humans, and so much natural beauty Earth has to offer.
https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource … dification
I am worried about ocean acidifications.
Indeed ocean acidifications will destroy marine ecosystems, and we need it a lot.
Where I live, marine ecosystems belong to a big part of our daily life, we need it for food and more. We should stop overfishing and reduce our boat travels.





