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Partner: Oregon State University

Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, Oregon (2024). Credit: Kevin Crosby (Creative Commons)
SMILE: Ocean Acidification Education Program
  • PI(s): Jay Well, Oregon State University
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2024, 2025, 2026
  • Grant Award # NA25OARX017G0003-T1-01
This project seeks to address gaps in ocean and environmental education and improve outcomes for Oregon’s youth through the Oregon State University’s Science Math Investigative Learning Experiences (SMILE) Program...
Project Summary >
Breaking wave in sunlight. Credit: NOAA Ocean Service
Electrolysis-driven weathering of basic minerals for long-term ocean buffering and CO2 reduction
  • PI(s): Burke Hales
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
  • Grant Award # NA23OAR0170506
This project aims to demonstrate proof-of-concept that alkalinity addition and wave power systems could be used in tandem. The work will also informs a regulatory roadmap to highlight existing research..
Project Summary >
Breaking wave in sunlight. Credit: NOAA Ocean Service
Assessing the chemical and biological implications of alkalinity enhancement using carbonate salts from captured carbon dioxide to mitigate ocean acidification and enable mCDR
  • PI(s): Andrew Dickson
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2023, 2024, 2025
  • Grant Award # NA23OAR0170516
This work builds and tests a pilot-scale system for carbon dioxide removal from a gas stream and investigates how the chemicals produced can be used to enable marine carbon dioxide..
Project Summary >
Intertidal reef of Crassostrea virginica oysters. Credit: VIMS
Vulnerability of oyster aquaculture and restoration in the Chesapeake Bay
  • PI(s): Marjy Friedrichs, VIMS
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
This project aims to assess the vulnerability of the oyster aquaculture industry and oyster restoration to OA and other co-stressors, and produce the information required by regional communities to aid..
Project Summary >
Dungeness crab in a crab hold. Credit: Austin Trigg, NMFS
Assessing Community Vulnerability to Ocean Acidification Across the California Current Ecosystem
  • PI(s): Ana Spalding, Oregon State University
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • Grant Award # NA20OAR0170490
West Coast stakeholders, including fishers and shellfish farmers reliant on key economically and culturally important species, have already experienced adverse consequences of ocean acidification (OA and other stressors. However, the human..
Project Summary >
Multi-Scale Prediction of California Current Carbonate System Dynamics
  • PI(s): Burke Hales
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
The California Current is a dynamic eastern boundary system that spans the Northeast Pacific from Canada to Baja California, Mexico. Upwelling of cold, nutrient rich water drives multi trophic level..
Project Summary >
Multi-Scale Prediction of California Current Carbonate System Dynamics (using satellite imagery and models to create short term forecasts
  • PI(s): Burke Hales
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
The California Current is a dynamic eastern boundary system that spans the Northeast Pacific from Canada to Baja California, Mexico. Upwelling of cold, nutrient rich water drives multi trophic level..
Project Summary >
NH-10 buoy
Ocean acidification Monitoring in the US Pacific Coastal Waters
  • PI(s): Burke Hales
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2010
The goal of this component of the project is to continue the mooring and ship-based monitoring of the Ocean Acidification-impacted carbonate chemistry of US Pacific coastal waters. This objective will..
Project Summary >

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

Closeup of oysters cupped in someone's hands

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