Here are some things you should know about the harm we are causing our to oceans.
Who Contributes?
The image on the left depicts the major air polluters by economic sector. It should be noted that the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide turns the oceans acidic.
Source:
“Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 13 Sept. 2019, www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions.
Aaaand…According to the Guardian, 100 companies alone are responsible for 71% of global emissions (Riley)
Source:
Riley, Tess. “Just 100 Companies Responsible for 71% of Global Emissions, Study Says.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 10 July 2017, www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2017/jul/10/100-fossil-fuel-companies-investors-responsible-71-global-emissions-cdp-study-climate-change.
But its going to hurt those companies in the long run….”Ocean Acidification Will Cost Global Economy $1 Trillion by 2100” (Bradbury)
Source: Bradbury, Danny. “Ocean Acidification Will Cost Global Economy $1 Trillion by 2100.” GreenBiz, GreenBiz Group Inc., 9 Oct. 2014, www.greenbiz.com/blog/2014/10/09/ocean-acidification-cost-global-economy-1-trillion-2100.
Plus, the marine industry is already facing the costs.
The scallop industry itself is worth $10,000 and the fishing industry from Alaska alone is worth $4.6 billion. In 2014, fishermen in both industries faced incredible losses due to acidification; the scallop population dwindles to only a portion of its former size and Alaska lost hundreds of millions in fish stocks (Small)
Small, Laura. “Sea Level Rise and Ocean Acidification Hurt Coastal Economies.” Sea
Technology, vol. 55, no. 10, Oct 2014, p. 79.
The Situation Is Dire
Over the past 250 years, the acidity of surface waters has increased by 30% at a rate 50 times faster than natural (Walsh)
Walsh, John. “Ocean Acidification” National Climate Assessment”,
nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/ocean-acidification
(For context, This compares to a baby golden retriever growing to a whopping 97.5 pounds in 9 months. Given that golden retrievers are only supposed to reach a maximum weight of 75 pounds after 18 months, that dog would be unhealithly obese and on the verge of death)
Last but not Least…
Recent findings suggest that ocean acidification may even intensify the effects of climate change
For context, The Tokyo Institute of Technology and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has found that ocean waters higher in acidity produce more Nitrous Oxide (NO2) into the atmosphere as a byproduct (Irving). Like Carbon Dioxide, Nitrous Oxide is a toxic greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and warming.
Irving Michael. “Acidic Oceans May Release More Nitrous Oxide into the Atmosphere”. New
Atlas, 12 Nov. 2019,
newatals.com/environment/ocean-acidification-nitrous-oxide-atmosphere/.
Needless to say, our planet needs our help! For the good of humanity, it would be in everyone’s best interest to reduce their emissions that contribute to ocean acidification.
Ocean Acidifcation: Fast Facts
trippy oceans 