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
I have heard about ocean acidification a lot, only because my science teacher in middle school was very passionate about climate change and wanted us to be as well. Ocean acidification is a huge pandemic that needs to be controlled. A lot of our food comes from the ocean, so destroying it is greatly affecting us too. I think that most people don't talk about ocean acidification because you can't see it and we don't live in it. We see all the trash on land and the smog in the air but we are unable to see what is happening in the ocean. I think that it is important to remember that the ocean is another world for thousands of living organisms who are just trying to survive. The change is our new generation, so I believe that ocean acidification should be taught in every middle school, high school, and even college. We need to know what we are doing to our oceans before it is too late.