Ocean acidification is growing at an alarming rate, causing a negative impact on our marine environment. It is the process of carbon dioxide increasing in the atmosphere, where the pH levels decrease becoming more acidic. When it combines with sea water it produces carbonic acid.
It is responsible for the extermination of 22 per cent of the 280,000 square kilometers of coal reefs below the ocean’s surface as well as negatively impacting the food chain — which is slowly affecting humans as well.
The coral reefs are extremely important as they are biologically diverse, supporting 25 per cent of all marine life. Species rely on coral to feed, reproduce, shelter larvae and take refuge from predators.
Humans are also an asset to the carbon change, a further decline in fish stocks and fishing industries will impact an important source of protein for millions of people.
The ocean’s power to create life is rivalled by our own power to destroy it.
We know how to solve local and marine ecosystem health and we know how to solve the global problems. The question is, will we?
Samantha Michl
Parkland Secondary School