Lesson Seventeen: Ocean Acidification
Why our oceans need to be more basic đ
Last week we covered that the worldâs oceans absorb a fourth of all carbon. The breakdown can be seen to the right.
CARBON SINKS
When a natural resource absorbs carbon,⨠that area is called a carbon sink. Parts of oceans act as major carbon sinks.
THE PROS: â¨By absorbing the CO2 from the atmosphere, the ocean reduces the global warming impact.
THE CONS: â¨CO2 dissolving into the ocean causes seawater to acidify, threatening the health of shellfish, corals, and other marine speciesâmany that are important to coastal economies and food security.
Some other effects include:
DEAD ZONES
A dead zone is known as an area of ocean water that has no oxygen. Over the past 50 years, the amount of dead zones has quadrupled globally, giving us more than 400 âdead zonesâ total.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
If human impacts on the ocean (not just acidification) continue, declines in ocean health are projected to cost the global economy $428 billion USD annually by 2050, and $2 trillion USD annually by 2100.
HOW TO HELP
If youâd like to stay in the know or donate to groups who are working hard to protect our oceans, check out:
Had you heard about ocean acidification before? Or about any of these side effects? Let me know your thoughts - always happy to continue the conversation!
