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ocean acidification

$3.5 Million Awarded to Identify Acidification Thresholds in Coastal Ecosystems

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) have jointly funded four projects totaling $3.5 million to identify the threshold at which ecosystems change rapidly and their services are irreversibly altered. From the Chesapeake Bay to the coastal waters of Alaska, this work will help managers reduce stressors to avoid

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September 25, 2018
OA News

To protect marine life, NOAA monitoring seasonal and yearly changes in surface water pH in Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico

Since atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions began to increase after the Industrial Revolution, the acidity of the ocean’s surface waters has increased by 30%. This rising acidity—reflected in falling pH levels—harms shell-building creatures and other marine life. As part of their effort to protect our oceans and the communities that depend on them, NOAA scientists

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August 21, 2018
education & outreach

Announcing Mid-Atlantic Ocean, Coastal, and Estuarine Acidification Graduate Research Fellowship Recipients

NOAA Ocean Acidification Program and the National Sea Grant College Program are pleased to announce the 2018 recipients of a new Mid-Atlantic Graduate Research Fellowship in Ocean, Coastal, and Estuarine Acidification. Six fellowships were awarded through a competitive selection process to provide Masters and Doctoral students two years of funding during the 2018 and 2019

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August 13, 2018
Featured

From space to the sea floor: a deeper look at ocean acidification along the East Coast

What if satellites circling our blue planet from space could offer insight into how an invisible gas like carbon dioxide moves through coastal waters, hundreds of miles above the ocean’s surface? Scientists will be working to make this a reality as they travel from Nova Scotia to Florida on board NOAA ship <a href="https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/Bigelow/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow

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June 26, 2018

Bless your coast: communicating acidification with lessons learned in the Southeast

Communicating ocean acidification can challenge scientists and educators given the complexity of the chemistry and the often-intangible nature of its impacts. While global ocean acidification describes the changes to water chemistry from atmospheric carbon dioxide, coastal acidification also factors in land-use change, eutrophication and other coastal processes. The Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network and

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June 5, 2018
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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

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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