Ocean acidification is a big problem caused by what people do, especially when we burn fossil fuels like coal and oil. Burning these fuels releases a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air.

Did you know that about 30% of the CO2 we create gets absorbed by the oceans? When this happens, it creates carbonic acid, making the seawater more acidic. Since the Industrial Revolution, the acidity in the ocean has increased because the pH level has dropped by about 0.1 units. This means the ocean is about 30% more acidic than it was before.

How Humans Contribute to Ocean Acidification:

1. Fossil Fuel Emissions:

   • In 2018, the world used around 37 billion metric tons of CO2 from fossil fuels.
   • If we keep releasing CO2 at this rate, oceans could be 150% more acidic by the time we reach the end of this century.

2. Cutting Down Trees (Deforestation):

   • Every year, about 10 million hectares of forests are cut down.
   • Fewer trees mean less CO2 is taken out of the air, which makes the problem worse.

3. Farming Practices:

   • When fertilizers from farms wash into the ocean, they can cause pollution.
   • This pollution harms ocean chemistry and creates dead zones where sea life can’t survive.

Effects of Ocean Acidification:

• Impact on Ocean Creatures:

  • Coral reefs, which are very important for ocean life, are struggling.
  • If the pH level decreases by 0.3 to 0.4, coral can have a reduction in shell-making by up to 50%.
  • Shellfish, like oysters and clams, find it hard to create their shells because the material they need becomes weakened.

• Economic Effects:

  • The shellfish industry around the world is worth about $10 billion. Acidic waters could hurt this industry badly.

In conclusion, what we do as humans greatly affects ocean acidification. This situation puts marine life and economies around the world in danger.