[Vision2020] Vandal Science: CO2 Emissions & Ocean Acidification

[Ted Moffett]

What is surprisingly often absent from discussions about human CO2 emissions
impacts on the biosphere, is that even absent dramatic temperature increases
from CO2 radiative forcing, CO2 emissions are increasing ocean
acidification, a potentially major environmental problem, as the published
science papers referenced below indicate:
 http://www.uidahoblogs.com/science/?p=79#respond Ted Moffett says:
July 3, 2009 at 1:56
pm<http://www.uidahoblogs.com/science/?p=79&cpage=1#comment-22>

I enjoyed Mr. Williams’ commentary defining what is a “poison” being a
matter of the dose involved, linking this to the EPA ruling on CO2, and
CO2’s important role in the biosphere and impact on atmospheric temperature
and climate. But I was a bit surprised that given his explicit wording
regarding CO2 as a “pollutant,” that he did not mention, unless I missed it,
CO2’s role in acidification of the oceans and the impacts on marine
organisms.

The hundreds of billions of tons of CO2 humanity has dumped into the
atmosphere is increasing the acidity of the oceans (which are doing humanity
a great service by removing much of our CO2 emissions), and is predicted to
have serious negative impacts on marine organisms that are impaired with
increasing acidity. In fact, as the published science articles referenced
below indicate, the impacts of CO2 as a “pollutant” increasing ocean acidity
impacting marine life may already be occurring.

This environmental problem can damage ecosystems in the oceans in ways that
can have wide ranging consequences. This problem alone is enough reason to
lower CO2 emissions, even if anthropogenic warming were not occurring; and
some of the geo-engineering solutions to climate change (blocking solar
radiation with sulfur compounds injected into the upper atmosphere,
mimicking the cooling effect of volcanic eruptions), though they can cool
the climate, will not solve the problem of CO2 emissions increasing ocean
acidity.

NOAA article on results of study of ocean acidification:

International Scientists Find ‘Acidified’ Water on the Continental Shelf
from Canada to Mexico

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080522_oceanacid.html

“Acidification of the Earth’s ocean water could have far-reaching impacts on
the health of our near-shore environment, and on the sustainability of
ecosystems that support human populations through nourishment and jobs,”
said Richard W. Spinrad, NOAA assistant administrator for oceanic and
atmospheric research.

“Our findings represent the first evidence that a large section of the North
American continental shelf is seasonally impacted by ocean acidification,”
said Feely. “This means that ocean acidification may be seriously impacting
marine life on our continental shelf right now.”

The findings will be published May 22 in the online journal Science Express.
“Evidence for Upwelling of Corrosive ‘Acidified’ Water onto the Continental
Shelf” was written by Richard A. Feely and Christopher Sabine,
—————

Science journal article on ocean acidification:

Coral Reefs Under Rapid Climate Change and Ocean Acidification

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/318/5857/1737

>From article above:

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is expected to exceed 500 parts per
million and global temperatures to rise by at least 2°C by 2050 to 2100,
values that significantly exceed those of at least the past 420,000 years
during which most extant marine organisms evolved.

Under conditions expected in the 21st century, global warming and ocean
acidification will compromise carbonate accretion, with corals becoming
increasingly rare on reef systems. The result will be less diverse reef
communities and carbonate reef structures that fail to be maintained.
Climate change also exacerbates local stresses from declining water quality
and overexploitation of key species, driving reefs increasingly toward the
tipping point for functional collapse. This review presents future scenarios
for coral reefs that predict increasingly serious consequences for
reef-associated fisheries, tourism, coastal protection, and people.
————–
Ted Moffett, Bachelor Of Science, Philosophy, U of I
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