I am from Cuba and I currently live in Miami, Florida. I study at Miami Dade College an Associate in Accounting.

 

  I'll be honest, I've never heard of ocean acidification before. Finding out about this terrible man-started event, I wanted to read and learn what acidification was, how it happened, how it affects us today, and what we can do to stop it.

 

  My research shows that acidification began with the Industrial Revolution. The acidification is due to the reduction of the pH in the surface waters of the ocean. The ocean absorbs about 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) that is released into the atmosphere. As atmospheric CO2 levels rise due to human activity, such as the burning of fossil fuels.
  Ocean acidification affects many ocean species, especially organisms such as oysters and corals that form hard shells and skeletons by combining calcium and carbonate from seawater. Changes in ocean chemistry can also affect the behavior of non-calcifying organisms. 

  Will it not be possible or safe for humans to ingest the water? 

  Many people believe that the main negative effect of ocean acidification for humans is that it will not be safe to enter the water, but this is not true since a high pH, ​​such as 7.8, is not directly harmful to humans. The negative effects for humans are directly related to the marine food chain and the coral reef ecosystem.

The Ocean Foundation’s International Ocean Acidification Initiative builds the capacity of scientists, policymakers, and communities to monitor, understand, and respond to ocean acidification both locally and collaboratively on a global scale. We do this by creating practical tools and resources that are designed to work all around the world.

Together with our partners, The Ocean Foundation designed a suite of equipment that cut the cost of monitoring ocean chemistry by 90%. To further facilitate the use of these new tools, we hold trainings around the world and provide long term support through equipment, stipends, and ongoing mentoring.