World's oceans close to becoming too acidic to sustain marine life, report says

NEWS WIRES
·1-min read

A new report by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research details how a crucial threshold for ocean acidification could soon become the seventh factor breached – out of of nine – considered critical for the planet's ability to regulate life-sustaining natural systems. The growing acidification of the planet's oceans is due to ever-increasing emissions of carbon dioxide released by burning fossil fuels, which the oceans then absorb.

The world's oceans are close to becoming too acidic to properly sustain marine life or help stabilise the climate, a new report said on Monday.

The report by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) details nine factors that are crucial for regulating the planet's ability to sustain life.

In six of these areas, the safe limit has already been exceeded in recent years as a result of human activity.

The crucial threshold for ocean acidification could soon become the seventh to be breached, according to the PIK's first Planetary Health Check.

The safe boundaries that have already been crossed concern crucial -- and related -- factors including climate change; the loss of natural species, natural habitat and freshwater; and a rise in pollutants, including plastics and chemical fertilisers used in agriculture.

(AFP)


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