Ocean acidification is a direct consequence of increased human induced carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere, and is presently progressing at a rate exceeding any known to have occurred for at least the past 25 million years. Ocean acidification as well as ocean warming will also reduce the solubility of CO2 in ocean water, thus reducing the capacity of the ocean to buffer climate change. The biodiversity, ecological and economic implications of ocean acidification are subject to much research, but will potentially be severe,initially more pronounced in polar areas. Ocean conditions may become corrosive to tropical reefs by mid 21st century.
IUCN urges Parties, other governments and relevant organisations to:
- Incorporate the latest findings on the impacts of ocean acidification and the specific importance of reducing CO2 into their policies and emission reduction targets.
IUCN – CBD COP 10 – Position paper – Gender, Impacts of ocean acidification on marine and coastal biodiversity. Position paper.
