The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring (FOARAM) Act passed in the House of Representatives and Senate respectively on 3rd and 19th March 2009.
The Act authorizes appropriations for ocean acidification research for fiscal years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, at $14 million, $20 million, and $27 million, and $35 million per year, respectively (this is broken down for NOAA and NSF below). Note that these funds are authorized but not yet appropriated.
More information: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-146
Source: Ocean Carbon and Biogeochemistry program
Many researchers fear more than half the world’s coral reefs will die in less than 25 years and believe the acidification of our oceans is mostly to blame.
Sea temperatures are rising, weakening the reefs’ resistance to man made pollutants, such as runoff from construction projects and toxins from paints. The delicate reefs are the homes for many marine plants and animals that provide a host of function for the fragile ecosystem.
Touch Tanks for Kids and national program designed for the advancement of aquatic research and education applauds the passing of Bill 1581, the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act