The world’s oceans have officially crossed a critical planetary boundary, according to a groundbreaking new study by the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, NOAA, and Oregon State University. The research reveals that ocean acidification—caused by the ocean’s absorption of excessive atmospheric CO₂—has already breached the scientifically defined “safe operating space” for Earth’s systems, with this threshold likely crossed as early as 2020.
This shift means that the concentration of calcium carbonate, essential for the survival of coral reefs, shellfish, and plankton, has fallen more than 20% below preindustrial levels. At just 200 meters below the surface, 60% of the world’s oceans have already surpassed this limit. Described as the “evil twin” of the climate crisis, ocean acidification now poses a direct threat not only to marine biodiversity but also to the livelihoods of millions who depend on coastal ecosystems for their survival.
Scientists warn that the impacts may be deeper—and deadlier—than previously imagined. Marine life below the surface, often overlooked in policy discussions, is experiencing rapid chemical changes, endangering the very foundation of the food chain. With six of nine planetary boundaries already breached, this revelation underscores the urgency of global climate governance.
As Prof. Steve Widdicombe noted, “Ocean acidification isn’t just an environmental crisis—it’s a ticking timebomb for ecosystems and economies alike.” Without immediate and coordinated global action, the ocean’s historic role as a stabilising force may begin to collapse under the weight of inaction. Read More
News Credit: The Guardian
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