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 >
Keep the ocean alive
Ocean? No, more like a place to dump unwanted materials, and the permanent and growing home for carbon dioxide and gases. Truth is that the sea life is dying because of us careless humans. Think about it, you've seen that story on the news about a washed up sea otter wrapped in a plastic bag. You've seen that story about a tragic oil spill killing whales and other sea life. None of this would be happening, and damaging sea life if humans would stop using it as their personal trash can. Everyone has seen that pile of cigarette butts that just so happen to be very close to the water. Why are we doing this to a beautiful ocean, let's take care of it.
All oil plants or factories have travelling carbon dioxide, looking for the oceans to settle into. The gases in the air are moving to oceans and rivers as well. They get to the ocean because they are bouncing around in the air and when they don't have anywhere else to go they stick into the oceans and stay there. No CO2 is good for any type of animal in the sea to deal with and it is slowly killing them because they are unable to process it correctly in their system. It's also not just the animals it's their homes. Part of this is because of global warming that warms the oceans and makes it uncomfortable for the animals to stay where they are. The animals try to find a new home, but before they can they get wrapped up in some trash.
Be aware of what beauty we are destroying and find a way that you could prevent it.