Remember that conference we missed in Monaco? Environmental Expert.com published a nice summary of the proceedings. To wit, 250 marine scientists from 32 countries agreed that ocean chemistry is changing rapidly. More specifically, it’s "accelerating at an unprecedented rate," becoming more acidic.
What can we expect? No one is yet sure, but a significant loss of biodiversity seems indicated.
“Previous acidification events provide a clue,” said Carole Turley from the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (U.K). “The evidence indicates mass extermination of shell bearing organisms for example. This bears out with studies of the ocean floor around existing natural CO2 vents today, where the sea water is already highly acidified, and which show a steep decline in biodiversity and the appearance of invasive species.”
What can we do? Limit carbon emissions. Attending scientists insisted this goal is both affordable and achievable. So now all we have to do is get governments to take action, starting with the U.S.A.
Also, devote significant funding to research.
