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4-H pH: Ocean Acidification Education in Alaska

Islands and land surrounded by water along the Sitka coast taken in 2023 by Mariano Mantel (Creative Commons)

Why we care
Alaska’s waters are susceptible to ocean acidification, and conditions approach biological thresholds for some culturally and economically significant species. The rural region of Lingít Aaní in southeast Alaska experiences ocean acidification intensity and duration greater than the global average and this is expected to worsen in the future. Lingít Aaní communities are vulnerable to these effects of ocean acidification. All communities in this region include the past, current, and future home of the Lingít, Haida, Tsimshian, and Unangax̂ people. It is a region closely tied to the marine ecosystem that is vital to culture, food security and jobs. This project provides a culturally responsive education program for youth in this region that engages them in collecting and understanding ocean acidification data, impacts and solutions.

What we will do
Since Lingít Aaní and the Indigenous communities that reside here are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) partnered with 4-H to develop an ocean acidification outreach and education curriculum tailored for youth in this region. The UAF Cooperative Extension office in Sheet’ká (Sitka) will implement ocean acidification literacy youth programming with 4-H in Sitka and Lingít Aaní that is scalable to other communities. The curriculum will focus on ages 5-12 and encompass youth-led monitoring activities facilitated through the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) program. Sitka youth will learn about pH, the carbon cycle, marine ecosystems, and ocean change in an afterschool program. They will also collect measurements in the field and learn how to engage with their own data. Evaluation on project approaches and standards of effectiveness will include youth survey data that compares data collected before and after participation.

The team will also conduct two, week-long summer camps in two to be determined communities in Lingít Aaní. As a final step, the project will leverage the Infiniscope project to create engaging digital content, showcasing the Sitka and Lingít Aaní 4-H youth as educators on ocean acidification for their peers throughout Alaska and beyond. 

Benefits of our work
This work empowers a wider youth audience with knowledge and awareness of ocean acidification and action to remain resilient and adapt. This project will recruit students in Indigenous communities that do not currently have established 4-H clubs, increasing reach and engaging more youth. Specifically, there will be greater exposure to STEM activities, giving students a sense of belonging in the 4-H community, and providing positive mentor-youth relationships.

Investigators
Natalie Monacci, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Jasmine Shaw, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Christina Buffington, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Simone Alin, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory

Image: Sitka coast (2023). Credit: Mariano Mantel (Creative Commons)

ADAPTING TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) works to prepare society to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs. Learn more about the human connections and adaptation strategies from these efforts.

Adaptation approaches fostered by the OAP include:

FORECASTING

Using models and research to understand the sensitivity of organisms and ecosystems to ocean acidification to make predictions about the future, allowing communities and industries to prepare

MANAGEMENT

Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

On the Road

Drive fuel-efficient vehicles or choose public transportation. Choose your bike or walk! Don't sit idle for more than 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated.

With your Food Choices

Eat local- this helps cut down on production and transport! Reduce your meat and dairy. Compost to avoid food waste ending up in the landfill

With your Food Choices

Make energy-efficient choices for your appliances and lighting. Heat and cool efficiently! Change your air filters and program your thermostat, seal and insulate your home, and support clean energy sources

By Reducing Coastal Acidification

Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats

TAKE ACTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

You've taken the first step to learn more about ocean acidification - why not spread this knowledge to your community?

Every community has their unique culture, economy and ecology and what’s at stake from ocean acidification may be different depending on where you live.  As a community member, you can take a larger role in educating the public about ocean acidification. Creating awareness is the first step to taking action.  As communities gain traction, neighboring regions that share marine resources can build larger coalitions to address ocean acidification.  Here are some ideas to get started:

  1. Work with informal educators, such as aquarium outreach programs and local non-profits, to teach the public about ocean acidification. Visit our Education & Outreach page to find the newest tools!
  2. Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification
  3. Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.
  4. Partner with local community efforts to mitigate the driver behind ocean acidification  – excess CO2 – such as community supported agriculture, bike & car shares and other public transportation options.
  5. Contact your regional Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) to learn how OA is affecting your region and more ideas about how you can get involved in your community
       More for Taking Community Action