Ocean Acidification: Coming Soon to an Ocean Near You

By Hayley Mitchell

The International Union Conservation for Nature (IUCN) has urgently announced ocean acidification as the “highest global priority”. They claim the concentration of hydrogen is increasing in our oceans at a rapid rate and in order to restore its health, we must immediately take action. The IUCN plans to educate people about ocean acidification enough to end all confusion and ignorance, and to take action to restore the sustainability and health of the worlds oceans.

The IUCN states that acidification will accelerate within the oceans unless there is a large reduction in the use of fossil fuels and the extraction of trees, however this implies that there are only two causes and solutions to ocean acidification, when in reality, there are numerous. THis article fails to discuss how acidification specifically is caused, accelerated and prevented. Without these explanations it is difficult to form educated conclusions and opinions of the issue.

Instead of educating the reader, the argument is introduced by comparing the present day rate of acidification to 55 million years ago: “...ocean acidification is now happening ten times faster than that which preceded the extinction 55 million years ago of many marine species.” (IUCN 2010). This leads to the conclusion that the worlds in serious danger of losing a large scale of marine life, if not all of it.

Acidification is primarily caused by immense amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, much of which is then absorbed by the ocean. This creates carbonic acid, increasing the pH of the water. So, as suggested by the IUCN, reducing the use of fossil fuels and deforestation would aid halt the acceleration as they increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. but it would have to take place along with several other solutions that prevent mass amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Realistically, the world’s people cannot make a significant enough reduction to make an impact. The article should further discuss the adjustments we, humans, need to take part in to prevent further acidification.

Although ocean acidification has negative impacts on marine ecosystems, its present day rate is not as disastrous as implied in the article. The IUCN makes it appear as if the current rate of acidification will cause irreversible changes and diminish our oceans, and soon. Although it can result in some destruction of coral reefs, for e.g. permanent bleach in coral reefs and death, this only becomes a major threat once ocean temperatures rise another 2℃. To compare, ocean water temperatures in the last 50 years have increased by average .037℃ (Shelley Tanaka 2006).

The effects of global warming are similar to those reported to accelerate acidification. Realistically, we aren’t positive on the effects of global warming so how can we say we know the effects of acidification? A lot of these changes occur at such small rates per year that it is difficult to see the physical changes. Therefore, without statistics proving these changes are, in fact occurring, conclusions cannot be made without further debate.

According to the IUCN: “The chemistry of one half of the Arctic Ocean will be changed by 2050 if CO₂ levels continue to rise at current rates.” (IUCN 2010). It is arguable that programs that prevent the acceleration of global warming such as the Kyoto Protocol, Earth Hour, and improvements in technology such as LED lights are already taking affect. Nations all over the world are investing billions of dollars into creating green environments, and decreasing carbon footprint. So, carbon dioxide concentrations are already being controlled and as we continue to find solutions that maintain Earth’s health, these levels will not continue to climb at the same increasing rate. This statement is based on our world’s people not making any or enough changes to decrease emissions, of which we already have.

It could also be argued that global warming is not an issue, and that it is a natural phenomenon of the Earth. Whether this is fact or fiction, this impacts the argument the authors make in this article. Because the effects of global warming include ocean acidification, we could also assume that ocean acidification is a way of refreshing and restoring its environment. And who says every effect will have a negative impact?

When the oceans absorb carbon dioxide, some of it is used by tiny marine plants at the base of the ocean’s food chain, called phytoplankton, for growth. With an increase in carbon dioxide, it could supply more CO₂ and produce more phytoplankton, possibly leading to an increase in marine life.

The IUCN has an outlook on ocean acidification that is based on the recent increasing rate of global warming. As much as they believe the topic of acidification is the primary issue and the world’s people are ignoring it, we are not. We are focusing on technological research that will provide results that improve the Earth’s environments and state. Working on the prevention of global warming includes very similar steps to ocean acidification, so although we are not specifically focusing on the topic of acidification, we have already begun to make changes. The article leads us to believe that ocean acidification is growing issue that is not taken care of, pursuing a marine ecosystem that is unable to survive. In order for this article to improve its arguments, it needs to discuss implications involved (and prove that these effects are relevant) more in depth. While many of my arguments may not be reliable, I believe the IUCN has exaggerated these effects in order to attract attention rather than understand and provide education on the current situation.

References:

IUCN. "Ocean Acidification: Coming Soon to an Ocean Near You." YubaNet.com | We Deliver News to the Sierra. 4 Nov. 2010. Web. 9 Nov. 2010.

"Ocean Acidification: Another Undesired Side Effect Of Fossil Fuel-burning." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. 24 May 2008. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.

Tanaka, Shelley. "Oceans Warm." Climate Change. Toronto: Groundwood, 2006. 52-53. Print.