Page 40 - IB MAY 2017

Pacific Conversation:

Ocean Acidification

In June this year, the Pacific islands are amplifying their voice at the United
Nations Ocean Conference at the UN Headquarters in New York, focusing
on Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Life Below Water. This Pacific
Conversation raises awareness about Ocean Acidification, providing you
with more information to help make a difference in our region. Conserve and sustainably use the
oceans, seas and marine resources
for sustainable development
Addressing Ocean Acidification
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is working with our Member countries and
territories to build resilience to ocean acidification in coastal communities and ecosystems through the NZ Pacific
Partnership on Ocean Acidification, supported by the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Principality of
Monaco in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC) and the University of the South Pacific. The project is focused
on monitoring, design and implementation of adaptation activities, and capacity building.

What is Ocean Acidification?
As seawater becomes more acidified, because of increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it is harder for
organisms such as shellfish and corals that make their shells and skeletons from calcium carbonate to survive. In the
Pacific island region, ocean acidification will have negative impacts on coral reef ecosystems and the communities that
depend on them, including for food security, tourism, and other ecosystem services provided by coral reefs. Ocean
acidification might also impact the region’s tuna fisheries due to lower larval survival rates under acidified conditions.

Did you know?
1. The ocean has absorbed 95% of the heat from climate change; the remaining 5% is driving atmospheric warming.
2. Of the CO produced by human activities, 25% has been absorbed by the ocean. As a result the ocean is 30% more acidified.
2
3. Globally, we have already lost 50% of our coral reefs. By 2050, we could lose 90% due to warming and ocean acidification.

What can we do locally?
1. Reducing local stressors such as sediment runoff, pollution, and destructive fishing
practices will help strengthen marine environment resiliency to climate change.
2. Marine Protected Areas can help build resilience in marine ecosystems and
replenish neighbouring depleted fisheries.
3. Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions in our daily activities will help mitigate
climate change.

Join the Pacific Conversation #SaveOurOcean #4PacIslands

PO Box 240
Apia, Samoa A resilient Pacific environment sustaining
+685 21929 our livelihoods and natural heritage in
sprep@sprep.org harmony with our cultures.
www.sprep.org

40 Islands Business, May 2017