“This groundbreaking NRDC documentary explores the startling phenomenon of ocean acidification, which may soon challenge marine life on a scale not seen for tens of millions of years. The film, featuring Sigourney Weaver, originally aired on Discovery Planet Green.”

The science of ocean acidification is straight forward. The effects on ocean life is less clear, but are likely to be negative, with many unexpected consequences. The prospect is gloomy unless we take this issue very seriously and soon, including funding the necessary research.

“Global warming science may be characterized by uncertainties”; in contrast, ocean “acidification is a straightforward and predictable consequence of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide”

“polar and subpolar surface waters are likely to begin dissolving the shells of pteropods and other creatures with aragonite shells by 2050 (Orr et al. 2005).”

“a “business-as-usual” scenario concluded pteropod shells in the Southern Ocean should begin dissolving by 2030, and no later than 2038 (McNeil and Matear 2008).”  [i] [ii]

Oceans provide marine foods, which are both key to fish farming and essential to the health and well-being of the developed and developing world.[iii] Oceans are arguably more sensitive than the land environment to effects of climate change, and particularly acidification, because the marine ecological systems they support, are much more intimately integrated and interdependent than those on land.

Ocean acidification[iv] is ‘here and now’, clearly and easily measurable, and a direct reporter of the carbon dioxide level of the atmosphere. The science of gaseous absorption by water is unarguable, relatively well quantified and understood. Factors affecting temperature change, a mini ice age, light reflecting mirrors, or atmospheric sulphates even if truly viable which is doubtful, will not reduce ocean acidification.

[i] Gershwin, Lisa-ann (2013-05-07). Stung!: On Jellyfish Blooms and the Future of the Ocean (Kindle Locations 5744-5745). University of Chicago Press. Kindle Edition.

[ii] Ben I. McNeil, and Richard J. Matear. Southern Ocean acidification: A tipping point at 450-ppm atmospheric CO2 http://www.pnas.org/content/105/48/18860.full

[iii] Maryland Takes Action to Address Ocean Acidification http://midatlanticocean.org/maryland-takes-action-to-address-ocean-acidification/

[iv]National research council Ocean Acidification Starting with the Science. http://dels.nas.edu/resources/static-assets/materials-based-on-reports/booklets/OA1.pdf