One of the most pernicious, but least known impacts of the build-up of CO2 in the atmosphere is ocean acidification. The ocean, which has absorbed about one quarter of the CO2 that's been emitted into the atmosphere, has become approximately 30 percent more acidic than it was during the pre-industrial era.
If business as usual continues with CO2 emissions, scientists predict that the ocean will become more acidic by the end of this century than it has ever been in the last 20 million years, with devastating impacts to corals, shellfish we love to eat like mussels, clams and lobsters, and to small creatures like pteropods (aka sea angels) that help form the base of the marine food chain.
NRDC explores the phenomenon of ocean acidification in ACID TEST, our new, groundbreaking documentary narrated by Sigourney Weaver. The film will premiere on Discovery's Planet Green on Wednesday, August 12th at 10:30 p.m. Eastern and re-airs throughout the month. Please tune in! For local show times and more information go to: http://www.nrdc.org/acidtest.
ACID TEST tells this story of "the other carbon problem" with beautiful ocean shots, and scientists on the frontlines of this issue - including NRDC's own Senior Ocean Scientist Lisa Suatoni. NRDC's Daniel Hinerfeld co-directs. The out-take below gives you a peek at what to expect from the full documentary later this month!
TAKE ACTION:
- Pass a Strong Climate Bill: Fight the pollution that causes ocean acidification and global warming - urge your senators to support strong climate and energy legislation.
- Pass a National Healthy Oceans Act: Tell your Representatives to support a Healthy Oceans Act, like a Clean Air Act for our air or a Clean Water Act for our water.