RED ALERT: World’s oceans close to reaching “red alert” acid levels
Diane Joy Galos
The oceans are getting dangerously acidic, threatening marine life and climate stability, according to a report on September 23.
This report from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) identifies nine key factors that are important for maintaining life on Earth.
Human activities have already pushed six of these factors past their safe limits in recent years.
Ocean acidification may soon become the seventh factor to cross this crucial boundary, as identified in PIK’s first Planetary Health Check.
The already exceeded safe limits are linked to important issues like climate change, habitat loss, declining species, freshwater scarcity, and increasing pollutants such as plastics and fertilizers.
Rising carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel burning are largely responsible for pushing ocean acidification beyond sustainable levels.
"As CO2 emissions increase, more of it dissolves in sea water... making the oceans more acidic," author Boris Sakschewski said.
He said that even if we quickly reduce emissions, some continued acidification is likely because of the CO2 already in the atmosphere and how long it takes for oceans to react.
Thus, it seems inevitable that we will exceed the ocean acidification threshold in the near future.
Acidic waters harm marine ecosystems, affecting corals, shellfish, and phytoplankton, which are important for many sea creatures.
This disruption threatens the food supply for billions of people and reduces the oceans’ ability to absorb CO2, which is crucial for combating global warming.
Among the nine planetary boundaries, only the ozone layer is currently not nearing its limit, as it has begun to recover since harmful chemicals were banned in 1987.
Another concerning threshold involves tiny particles in the air that can cause serious health issues, which is also approaching its danger limit.
However, some countries are taking action to improve air quality, which may reduce the risks associated with these particles.
Despite this progress, rapidly industrializing nations may still experience rising levels of harmful particles.
The PIK established these nine planetary boundaries to alert humanity about crossing critical thresholds that could lead to disastrous consequences.
"These tipping points... if crossed, would lead to irreversible and catastrophic outcomes for billions of people and many future generations on Earth," researchers warned.
All nine boundaries are interconnected, meaning that breaching one could destabilize Earth's entire ecosystem, according to Sakschewski.
This situation also presents an opportunity, as solving one issue—like keeping global temperatures below 1.5 degrees Celsius—can have positive effects on various challenges, the report concludes.