Ocean Acidification: From Threat to Opportunity

April 11 2019

Sarah Cooley

scooley@oceanconservancy.org

@co2ley @OurOcean

Ripple effects

through marine

ecosystems

Solution:

Cutting CO2

emissions

How could OA impacts be

incorporated into existing targets?

Increase ambition in emissions reductions.

• Actions that reduce atmospheric CO2

emissions will help mitigate ocean

acidification.

• Climate action focused on gases other than

CO2 will not address OA.

– Reducing planetary warming will reduce overall

stress, likely allowing marine species to weather

OA-related stress better.

How to evaluate the impact of OA

on marine & human communities?

Laboratory studies: Examine impacts on

ecologically, economically valuable species

How to evaluate the impact of OA

on marine & human communities?

Modeling studies: Scale up individual

impacts to ecosystems, human systems

How to incorporate OA into the global

stocktake, NDCs, or other climate plans?

✓ Increase ambition.

✓ Include CO2-specific mitigation targets.

✓Refer to OA in statements on vulnerability.

✓Mention specific policies and measures that will support enhanced resilience/build adaptive capacity to OA.

✓Outline specific policies and measures aimed at improving monitoring of OA and research into OA.

✓Describe finance needs to enhance resilience/adaptive capacity to OA.

What actions can be added to NDCs,

etc. to address OA?

✓ Evaluate the potential impact of OA on important marine resources and dependent communities.

✓Reduce land-based contributions to acidification.

✓ Increase the ability to adapt to and remediate impacts of OA.

✓ Assess existing coastal management to avoid unintentional maladaptation.

✓ Educate communities.

✓ Support businesses.

✓Manage for resilience.

✓Close knowledge gaps.

Thank you!

Sarah Cooley

scooley@oceanconservancy.org

@co2ley @OurOcean

California OA Action Plan, 2018