“ The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul. Whispers of the waves echoed as I was standing before it. If you choose the simple things and find joy in nature's simple treasures, life and living need not be so hard ”
Ocean acidification, listening to the word in a glance would make someone feel confused upon what the word really is. For an easier way to describe ocean acidification, let’s call it the acid ocean. Or in a complicated matter ocean acidification is also described as the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth's oceans, caused by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Ocean acidification reduces the amount of carbonate, an important component of seawater. This makes it more difficult for marine organisms such as corals and some plankton to form shells and skeletons, which can lead to the collapse of existing shells. According to some people, they called ocean acidification as climate change’s equally evil twin and for good reasons, for its significant and harmful consequences.
Considering how surface waters are now 30% more acidic than they were at the start of the industrial era. The acid ocean crisis is adding up due to the fact that most Americans aren’t really aware of how to reduce the effects for the upcoming years. Despite all the awareness the acid ocean flung its effect towards the entire food chain making it in jeopardy, it affected most of our food especially sea foods since most of our shellfish requires calcium carbonate to form or fortify their shells, the list also continue adding the fishes that are dependent on shelled animals as their food sources.
Nevertheless, an action should be done by doing an actual something. Therefore, it is unlikely that a unified agreement on ocean acidification will be reached. Future fights against ocean acidification will require further efforts within the existing MEA framework. To date, ocean acidification has been described in five Global MEA resolutions, outcome documents, or action plans. Despite that, the EPA is working on two categories of pollution that cause acidification: carbon dioxide emissions and reduction of excess nutrients. In addition, the EPA is working with federal and non-federal partners to monitor ocean and coastal acidification. And yet again all the king's horses and all the king's men will never put the ocean back together again. It is a mistake and a danger believing that someone else would do a miracle to put the broken parts back again.
We are tied to the ocean, protecting the ocean means protecting our future. Reducing the carbon footprint could contribute a lot towards the crisis. The reduction of the carbon footprint could be done by eating less meat, using less energy and plastic, as well as conserving water. Other than that, a step of reducing fossil fuel is also a big contribution as an individual to combat the acid ocean. Buying equipment such as lights, refrigerator, heater that uses less electricity, turning off the lights, buying foods that are locally produced, and limiting the use of air conditioners are some simple ways to reduce fossil fuel. Moving on to continue the list is education to raise awareness considering the fact that most people might still be unaware about ocean acidification. Let’s raise our voice and get this message to be heard, making sure that ocean acidification is the number 1 public enemy.