MONACO, January 30, 2009: The world’s marine ecosystems risk being severely damaged by ocean acidification unless there are dramatic cuts in CO2 emissions, warn scientists. Research shows that pH levels are changing 100 times faster than natural variability, as revealed in a symposium here today.
The researchers warn that ocean acidification, which they refer to as “the other CO2 problem”, could make most regions of the ocean inhospitable to coral reefs by 2050, if atmospheric CO2 levels continue to increase. The also say that it could lead to substantial changes in commercial fish stocks, threatening food security for millions of people. “The chemistry is so fundamental and changes so rapid and severe that impacts on organisms appear unavoidable,” said Dr James Orr, chairman of the symposium. –