Ocean Acidification Essay

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Commentary on Ocean Acidification Ellycia R Harrould-Kolieb and Dorothée Herr co-wrote the article Ocean Acidification and Climate Change: Synergies and Challenges of Addressing both under the UNFCCC which was published in the 2012 Journal of Climate Policy. The article describes how the release of climate-change-causing carbon dioxide into our atmosphere is causing ocean acidification but through international policies the effects of ocean acidification can be mitigated. Since the 18th century Industrial Revolution, approximately 1.6 trillion tons of carbon dioxide have been added to the atmosphere through the combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation (Harrould-Kolieb and Herr 378). The world’s oceans have absorbed approximately 30% of that carbon dioxide. This absorption has been beneficial in keeping that 30% out of the atmosphere, where it causes Climate Change, but it has a negative impact on water quality. When carbon dioxide reacts with water, it forms carbonic acid. In the oceans, carbonic acid releases hydrogen ions which increase the acidity of the water. Because of human action, the acidity of the ocean has risen 30% since pre-industrial times and by 2050 ocean acidity is projected to be the highest in 20 million years (Harrould-Kolieb and Herr 379). This carbon dioxide influx is threatening marine life. Coral reefs serve as crucial habitat for 25% of marine species. The increased acidity of the water is causing a decrease in coral skeletal growth. If current carbon dioxide emission trends continue, net coral reefs may begin to dissolve by the end of the century (Harrould-Kolieb and Herr 380). In addition to increasing ocean acidity, the hydrogen ions released by carbonic acid also react with carbonate ions. Low t... ... middle of paper ... ...eyond command control and provide market based solutions to climate change. These mechanisms were established under Kyoto, and with the involvement of the top dozen emitters, they can significantly decrease emissions. The mechanisms would include Cap and Trade which creates a market for carbon dioxide leading to innovation and incentive to cut emissions. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) would encourage developed states to build renewable energy projects in developing states because they would earn carbon credits which they could sell on the Cap and Trade carbon market. CDM would also lower the cost of renewable energy because on top of the sale of energy companies would also profit off the carbon credits (Snow 133). These measures could effectively address climate change internationally because they would limit the span of different interests among parties.

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