Our seas are in distress. From the bleaching of coral reefs to rising temperatures and elevated sea levels, they have experienced better times. Furthermore, researchers now warn that our oceans might be a “ticking time bomb” due to acidification.
Until recently, scientists asserted that ocean acidity had not surpassed the “planetary boundary.” However, a [recent study](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70238) conducted by experts from the UK’s Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Oregon State University’s Co-operative Institute for Marine Resources Studies indicates that this boundary was breached five years ago.
The reason scientists characterize ocean acidification as a ticking time bomb is that it will inevitably inflict irreversible harm on marine ecosystems and coastal economies. The study conducted thorough analyses and found that the deeper the investigation went into the ocean, the more alarming the results became.
Indeed, they discovered that, in certain instances, the average ocean condition was already alarmingly close to or even exceeding the planetary limit for acidification. At a mere 200 meters beneath the surface (approximately 656 feet), 60% of the global oceans had already surpassed the threshold deemed “safe” for acidification.
These discoveries are merely the latest in a continuous series of increasing indicators that the oceans are in peril in [our relentless battle against climate change](https://bgr.com/science/un-says-were-failing-miserably-at-our-attempts-to-control-climate-change/). Additional studies have revealed that [21% of the ocean is losing sunlight exposure](https://bgr.com/science/21-of-the-ocean-is-losing-access-to-sunlight-heres-what-that-means/), and [specific ocean areas are warming 400% faster](https://bgr.com/science/the-ocean-is-warming-400-percent-faster-than-was-four-decades-ago/) than expected.
The researchers argue that the sole method to reduce ocean acidity is by diminishing CO2 emissions. While numerous nations have been addressing this issue, with [Trump’s administration implementing significant modifications to the EPA](https://bgr.com/science/trump-administrations-epa-takes-aim-at-climate-change-laws/) and its stance on carbon emissions, it is improbable that we will witness any substantial changes in the near future.
Nonetheless, we can remain hopeful that we will ultimately regain control over this predicament. At the very least, we will come to understand that relying on scientists is wiser than disregarding their alerts.
