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Ocean Acidification Program News

NOAA declares Commitment to UN Decade OARS Programme

  • OA News, OAP Opportunities, OAP Original News Stories
NOAA ship in background during the West Coast Ocean Acidification research cruise with a mooring measuring ocean chemistry in the foreground. Credit: NOAA

On behalf of NOAA, the Ocean Acidification Program submitted a Commitment to the international Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS) Programme on December 4, 2023. OARS is a UN Ocean Decade supported program dedicated to minimizing and addressing the impacts of ocean acidification (OA) through enhanced cooperation at all levels and is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal Target 14.3. OARS maintains seven Outcomes toward addressing ocean acidification, with published White Papers that highlight key outputs and products and identify necessary inputs and partners to successfully implement each Outcome. OAP submitted commitments to all seven outcomes.

NOAA’s OARS Commitment

As a global leader in ocean acidification (OA) research, monitoring, and capacity building, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Acidification Program is committed to continue to support OA Actions that align with Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS), and its support of the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON), including the following specific actions:

  • Continue to play a key role in the U.S.’s data submission from the U.S. National Ocean Acidification Observing Network (NOA-ON) to SDG 14.3.1 to fulfill the nation’s commitment, and to highlight national and international SDG 14.3.1 submissions via the GOA-ON data portal and its dedicated app for the SDG (OARS Outcome 1 and 7).
  • Continue to develop capacity nationally and internationally for OA monitoring, including through GOA-ON and, nationally, through NOA-ON. OAP collaborates with The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and regional partners to implement the coastal-scale, and the Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing (GOMO) program implements the NOAA Global Ocean Carbon Network (OARS Outcome 1, 3, and 4).
  • Support research to understand vulnerabilities to ocean acidification of key species and fundamental biological responses to OA (Outcome 4).
  • Engage stakeholders and conduct vulnerability assessments to identify threats and adaptation strategies to vulnerable communities, including through the GOA-ON Regional Hubs, IOOS, and U.S. Coastal Acidification Networks (Outcome 2 and 3).
  • Support modeling efforts and data products, such as the Coastal Ocean Data Analysis Product Database and, in partnership with GOMO and other collaborators, the global products GLODAP and SOCAT, which contribute to future projections and model-based tools that can inform research and decision making (Outcome 5 and 6).
  • Raise awareness about the risks of ocean acidification through engagements in international, national, and regional events that engage decision makers, local stakeholders, tribal nations, and the public (Outcome 6 and 7).

NOAA OAP will continue to engage with OARS through its continuous program support to GOA-ON secretariat, leadership, and regional hub activities.

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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

50 more ways to reduce your 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