Posted: April 19th, 2023
How can the shipping industry adapt to and mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification
How can the shipping industry adapt to and mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them?
The shipping industry is one of the major contributors to global carbon dioxide emissions, which in turn cause ocean acidification. Ocean acidification is the process by which seawater becomes more acidic due to the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This has negative impacts on marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them, such as reduced calcification of corals and shellfish, altered fish behavior and physiology, and decreased biodiversity and productivity. These impacts affect the provision of ecosystem services such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and coastal protection, which are vital for human well-being and economic development. Therefore, the shipping industry needs to adapt to and mitigate the effects of ocean acidification by adopting more sustainable practices and technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as improving fuel efficiency, switching to low-carbon fuels, implementing carbon capture and storage, and investing in renewable energy sources. Additionally, the shipping industry should support ocean-based solutions that enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems and communities to ocean acidification, such as restoring mangroves, seagrasses, and kelp forests, promoting sustainable aquaculture and fisheries management, and increasing marine protected areas. By doing so, the shipping industry can not only reduce its environmental footprint, but also contribute to the global efforts to combat climate change and ocean acidification.
References:
– Doney, S.C., Busch, D.S., Cooley, S.R., & Kroeker, K.J. (2020). The impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and reliant human communities. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 45(1), 83-112. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-012320-083019
– IPCC. (2019). Chapter 5: Changing ocean, marine ecosystems, and dependent communities. In H.-O. Pörtner et al. (Eds.), IPCC Special Report need help writing a masters dissertation on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (pp. 447-588). https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/chapter/chapter-5/
– NOAA Fisheries. (2018). Understanding ocean acidification. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/understanding-ocean-acidification
– Narita, D., Rehdanz, K., & Tol, R.S.J. (2012). Economic impacts of ocean acidification: A meta-analysis. Environmental and Resource Economics, 53(3), 345-374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10640-012-9562-z