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 >
Ocean Acidification
Ocean Acidification harms marine life including reefs and shellfish. As the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide, it becomes more acidic, making it difficult for organisms to build and maintain their shells or skeletons. This disrupts the marine food chain and can lead to cascading effects on the entire ecosystem. It's important to address ocean acidification to protect the health of our oceans and those that depend on them. We can do so by reducing the fossil fuels that goes into the ocean, using cleaner sources of energy, and protecting/restoring coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and sea grasses to help absorb carbon dioxide.