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Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification

Mission

The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification (IWG-OA) aims to coordinate ocean acidification research, monitoring and engagement across the federal government to better assess the impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and coastal communities and support the development of mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 (FOARAM Act; 33 U.S.C. Chapter 50, Sec. 3701-3708) directed the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) to create an Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification (IWG-OA). The IWG-OA was chartered by SOST in October 2009 and includes representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of State (DOS), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Parks Service (NPS), Smithsonian Institution (SI), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NOAA chairs the group. The agencies represented on the IWG-OA have mandates for research and/or management of resources and ecosystems likely to be impacted by ocean acidification. The group meets regularly to coordinate ocean acidification activities across the Federal government to fulfill the goals of the FOARAM Act.

Latest News

The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification is hosting the third webinar in the Acidification & Estuaries Webinar Series on November 4, 2024 at 2:00pm ET. This series is starting a conversation about the most important research gaps in acidification and estuaries for the federal government to address. This webinar

The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification is hosting the second webinar in the Acidification & Estuaries Webinar Series on October 23rd at 2:00pm ET. This webinar will give an overview of the state of the science related to acidification in estuaries and discuss remaining research gaps. Speakers will discuss

The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification is hosting a three-part webinar series this fall on acidification and estuaries. Their goal is to bring together researchers, resource managers, industry leaders, and other interested community members to discuss the most important research gaps around acidification in estuaries for the federal government

The following federal agencies participate in the IWGOA and are actively working to develop ocean acidification adaptation and mitigation strategies. The IWG-OA has regular meetings to share information on activities related to the seven thematic areas of the Strategic Research Plan:

  • Research to understand responses to ocean acidification
  • Monitoring of ocean chemistry and biological impacts
  • Modeling to predict changes in the ocean carbon cycle and impacts on marine ecosystems and organisms
  • Technology development and standardization of measurements
  • Assessment of socioeconomic impacts and development of strategies to conserve marine organisms and ecosystems
  • Education, outreach, and engagement strategy on ocean acidification
  • Data management and integration

Click on a logo below to learn more about each agency’s role in with the IWG-OA

The Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring of Ocean Acidification will guide federal research and monitoring investments that will improve our understanding of ocean acidification, its potential impacts on marine species and ecosystems, and adaptation and mitigation strategies. This is the second Strategic Plan and is an update to the first version released in 2014. The Strategic Plan contains objectives and action items organized around seven thematic areas:

  1. Research
  2. Monitoring
  3. Modeling
  4. Technology development
  5. Socioeconomic impacts
  6. Education, outreach, and engagement strategies
  7. Data management and integration

Some highlights of the plan’s action items include:

  • Expand coastal acidification monitoring in the nearshore and estuaries
  • Expand certified reference material production for seawater pH measurements
  • Identify and support human communities vulnerable to acidification through co-production of knowledge
  • Develop synthesis products at coastal and regional scales to guide model development

The plan was developed by the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification as part of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 (FOARAM Act; 33 U.S.C. Chapter 50, Sec. 3701-3708).

Farming of Seagrasses and Seaweeds: Responsible Restoration & Revenue Generation

The Interagency Working Group for Farming Seaweeds and Seagrasses produced this report that explores opportunities for farming seaweeds and seagrasses to deacidify ocean environments and provide agricultural products, such as livestock feeds.

Ocean Acidification Monitoring Prioritization Plan

The Ocean Acidification Monitoring Prioritization Plan details how to guide U.S. government efforts towards monitoring that could be deployed to meet the gaps described in the Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability Assessment. The plan is complementary to the Strategic Plan for Federal Monitoring and Research of Ocean Acidification, the U.S.

Second Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring of Ocean Acidification

The Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring of Ocean Acidification will guide federal research and monitoring investments that will improve our understanding of ocean acidification, its potential impacts on marine species and ecosystems, and adaptation and mitigation strategies. This is the second Strategic Plan and is an update to

Seventh Report on Federally Funded Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Activities

This report describes federally funded ocean acidification activities during fiscal years 2020 and 2021. The report describes projects that were funded across the federal government, organized by region and then by thematic area. Budget tables are included that detail the amount spent by each agency on each thematic area. From

IWG Ocean Acidification Strategic Plan for Public Comment
Cover of the 2023 Ocean Chemistry Vulnerability Assessment report released by the Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology Committee on Environment
Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability Assessment

Assessment Presents Community Vulnerabilities to Acidification and Research Recommendations The Ocean Chemistry Coastal Community Vulnerability Assessment, written by the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification responds to the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020. The report is national in scope and describes social vulnerability to ocean acidification across

The Ocean Acidification Information Exchange is a new online community catalyzing response to ocean and coastal acidification through collaboration and information sharing. If you are working on  or interested in ocean and/or coastal acidification, come join the conversation! Members of the OA Information Exchange are using the site’s platform to swap ideas, exchange resources, and interact with people in a variety of disciplines across many regions. Together, we are  building a well-informed community working to respond and adapt to ocean and coastal acidification.

 We welcome members of government, tribal and academic research scientists, citizen scientists, experiential and formal educators, NGO employees, marine resources managers, policy makers, concerned citizens, aquaculturists, people in the fishing industry, technology developers, data managers, and others.

 Learn more about the OA Information Exchange at www.OAInfoExchange.org or request an account!

Contact Us

Sarah Cooley
Chair IWG-OA and Director,  NOAA Ocean Acidification Program
sarah.cooley@noaa.gov

Courtney Witkowski
 Executive Secretary, IWG-OA, and NOAA Ocean Acidification Program

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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

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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