Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, providing habitat “for 25 percent of all marine species” (Lubofsky 28), and they are being threatened by ocean acidification. Ocean acidification is “the decline in seawater’s pH” (DeCarlo 33) due to rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. The excess CO2 dissolves in the ocean and becomes corrosive carbonic acid. Corals and other shell-producing organisms rely on calcium carbonate in the ocean to produce new shell, but if the ocean becomes too acidic, there will not be enough carbonate for these organisms to use. With smaller amounts of calcium carbonate in the ocean, these organisms will soon face death. Because of humans burning fossil fuels and increasing the amount of CO2
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With the likelihood of less fish being born, there will be less fish available for human consumption. Not only will less fish be available, but they will also take longer to grow and reproduce with less food available for them. This situation ultimately shortens a species catching season, which in turn will reduce the amount of fish humans consume. Ocean acidification is causing a change in the food chain within the ocean, and by result for humans too. Larger fish, which humans consume, “depend heavily on mollusks for their own nourishment” (Winner 74). With the ocean becoming more acidic, calcifying organisms, such as mollusks, will become scarcer. With ocean acidification, “there will probably be fewer species overall … and how human communities fare as a result will depend on how adaptable they are and how soon they start planning for the changes” (Winner 74). This means less food for animals in the ocean to eat and less food for humans to eat too if action is not taken. With less food being available, prices of seafood will go up while many jobs will be lost. Commercial fishing companies will no longer have jobs, as there will be no mollusks and less fish available to catch. Many seafood restaurants will go out of business without the proper meats to sustain them. Restaurants going out of business means chefs, waiters, and busboys are all out of jobs. Income is also heavily dependent on tourism. When traveling to a tropical location, many enjoy snorkeling to view the beautiful coral reefs, but with ocean acidification destroying reefs, tourism will soon lose its industry. Income to the country would be lost in many different ways. Hotels, restaurants, and tourist traps will no longer be in business. “In 2006, direct income from coral reef tourism provided 15 percent of the gross domestic product
With the likelihood of less fish being born, there will be less fish available for human consumption. Not only will less fish be available, but they will also take longer to grow and reproduce with less food available for them. This situation ultimately shortens a species catching season, which in turn will reduce the amount of fish humans consume. Ocean acidification is causing a change in the food chain within the ocean, and by result for humans too. Larger fish, which humans consume, “depend heavily on mollusks for their own nourishment” (Winner 74). With the ocean becoming more acidic, calcifying organisms, such as mollusks, will become scarcer. With ocean acidification, “there will probably be fewer species overall … and how human communities fare as a result will depend on how adaptable they are and how soon they start planning for the changes” (Winner 74). This means less food for animals in the ocean to eat and less food for humans to eat too if action is not taken. With less food being available, prices of seafood will go up while many jobs will be lost. Commercial fishing companies will no longer have jobs, as there will be no mollusks and less fish available to catch. Many seafood restaurants will go out of business without the proper meats to sustain them. Restaurants going out of business means chefs, waiters, and busboys are all out of jobs. Income is also heavily dependent on tourism. When traveling to a tropical location, many enjoy snorkeling to view the beautiful coral reefs, but with ocean acidification destroying reefs, tourism will soon lose its industry. Income to the country would be lost in many different ways. Hotels, restaurants, and tourist traps will no longer be in business. “In 2006, direct income from coral reef tourism provided 15 percent of the gross domestic product