Majority of public unaware of ocean acidification

A recent survey suggests that just one in five people in Britain are aware of ocean acidification.

Ocean acidification is the process of excess CO₂ dissolving in seawater, creating carbonic acid and resulting in a rise in sea acidity. Studies have shown this has led to an increase in the acidity of the ocean by 30% since 1980 and this is predicted to increase to 150% by 2100, if CO₂ continues to be emitted at today’s rate.

Dr Stuart Capstick, lead author of the study at Cardiff University, said: “Although we didn’t expect to find high levels of awareness or understanding of ocean acidification, we were surprised at just how overlooked this topic seems to be. By now, just about everyone has heard of climate change and a majority of people understand our part in it – even if we don’t all agree on what should be done – but only a small proportion of our sample said they knew anything much about ocean acidification.

“Scientific studies over the past few years have demonstrated the importance of ocean acidification for marine ecosystems and the people that depend on them, but we have barely scratched the surface in terms of bringing this issue to the attention of the public and policy-makers,” he said.

Coral bleaching is one of many issues caused by ocean acidification, leading to a loss of coral reefs and affecting the fish, marine algae and other organisms that inhabit it. A large number of scientists agree carbon emissions must be stopped to alleviate the effects of ocean acidification.

Less than 15% of those asked said they had a basic knowledge of ocean acidification. Respondents did have negative reactions to the term with many making a connection with harm to marine organisms and ecosystems. Others made incorrect assumptions about marine pollution from oil spills and chemical waste.

The researchers surveyed 2,501 members of the British public. Their findings are published in Nature Climate Change.