Climate Change

Climate Change and Ocean Acidification

Change in sea surface pH caused by anthropogenic CO2 between the 1700s and the 1990s.

The threat that climate change poses to marine biodiversity and ecosystems is unmatched in our oceans. Already, the modern ocean’s chemistry, temperature and oceanographic patterns are changing due the increased carbon content of the atmosphere. How oceans and their biological communities react to global climate change remains to be one of the most important and unanswered questions in our modern world.

In order to effectively address the threat of oceanographic climate change we must use strategies of carbon reduction and sequestration, marine conservation through reserve networks and responsive management, and further research. MCBI is working hard to protect threatened species and biodiverse ecosystems that are uniquely vulnerable to rapid marine climate change. We partner with scientists, management agencies and other conservation organizations to advocate for the protection and management of marine ecosystems that are imperiled by climate change in the 21st century. In this effort, we hope to protect valuable natural resources and tune a broader audiences’ ear to the importance of human-generated global climate and oceanographic change.

As a marine conservation organization, MCBI understands that climate change uniquely affects differing geographic regions and biological communities. To effectively advocate for the conservation of climate-threatened species and ecosystems, our understanding of the interface between global climate and health of marine systems needs to be advanced.

Climate Change and the Carbon Cycle
Why does CO2 matter?

Marine Conservation in a Changing Climate
How do we manage and protect marine systems in a changing world?

Sea Surface Warming
Primary threats: Coral bleaching, Exceeding thermal tolerance limits, Biogeographic range shifting

Sea Level Rise
Primary threats: Loss of critical habitat for marine mammals, turtles and seabirds, Changing light and depth levels for seafloor communities

Ocean Acidification
Primary threats: Changing ocean chemistry in deep and shallow ecosystems, Biological changes from polar to tropical ecosystems, Reductions in the calcification of shells, coral reefs, and plankton

Offshore Renewable Energy
Finding ways to produce sustainable power with minimal harm to ocean ecosystems

Our Work on Climate Change and Ocean Acidification:

Ocean Acidification- From Ecological Impacts to Political Opportunitites - MCBI publishes an entire issue of Current on Ocean Acidification.

Letter to the EPA on Ocean Acidification - MCBI and 31 other organizations wrote a letter to the EPA asking them to address ocean acidification through the Clean Water Act.