Top Scientists Call on Governments at COP16 to Fund Ocean Acidification Research to Prevent Catastrophic Impacts: Economist Impact Reports

As the world pumps dangerous levels of carbon emissions into the atmosphere, the ocean, the planet's single largest carbon sink, cannot sequester it quickly enough. The excess levels of carbon dioxide lead to lower pH levels meaning increased acidity, in a process known as ocean acidification. OA poses a critical threat to marine life and, by extension, to food chains, ocean-reliant economies and livelihoods.

Eight in-depth interviews with world leading marine scientists and experts have culminated in an urgent call to policy makers to prioritise research that can categorically prove ocean acidification is one of the biggest threats to marine biodiversity. The scientists from UNESCO, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) are advocating for funding for a new research initiative that will integrate marine biology and chemistry to deepen the understanding of ocean acidification's role in biodiversity loss and establish its causal link to species decline.

Lead author of the report Professor Steve Widdicombe, Director of Science at Plymouth Marine Laboratory and Co-Chair of Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network, said: "I've been studying the impacts of ocean acidification for two decades and a tidal wave of ocean calamity is on the horizon. To spur the necessary action and policy change, we need more evidence of where ocean acidification is the primary driver of biodiversity loss among other impacts. However, further data is required to help justify the urgent interventions required to prevent irreversible damage."

He added: "Research must be funded to expand beyond controlled laboratory settings to comprehensive, field-based data collection on a global scale."

Although 13 national and regional governments globally have OA action plans, efforts remain in the early stages of development. By contrast, the UN Global Plastics Treaty which will have huge repercussions on ocean and human health, is nearing the finish line. With OA however, we haven't even started the race.

Pepe Clarke, Oceans Lead at WWF, commented: "Climate-related biodiversity loss in the oceans is already catastrophic. But most people think it's through heat and pollution vs acidity. The bottom line is, we cannot see ocean acidification the way we can see other climate impacts and by the time it's visible, it will be all too late."

He added: "The more conclusive data we can collect, the more national action plans we will see grounded on scientific evidence. It is imperative this happens sooner rather than later. While other stressors on marine life such as overfishing and chemical pollution may be at the top of political agendas, OA is silently destroying what we rely on most."

At COP15 23 targets were set to stem biodiversity loss and restore natural ecosystems by 2030. Target 8 included minimising the impacts of ocean acidification on biodiversity. Advancing research into the field and successfully documenting the causality between OA and species decline will generate the urgency needed to force policy makers to act. OA considerations must be integrated into national biodiversity legislation, and countries must mandate plans to reduce OA impacts and keep track of progress the report emphasises.

Kirsten Isensee, Programme Specialist for Ocean Carbon at UNESCO, said: "It is no surprise that developing countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have difficulties to mobilize the resources to measure and tackle ocean acidification, despite recognizing it as a significant threat. As the backbone of their economies, the collapse of marine ecosystems in the future will devastate livelihoods and cripple industries like tourism."

She added: "Ocean acidification is a triple threat, silently eroding the environment, economies, and future stability – even if its effects aren't immediately visible."

Eight renowned ocean experts with Back to Blue call on policymakers and researchers alike to fund and implement rigorous and comprehensive data collection that can inform the policymaking we need to tackle this critical issue before it's too late.

Notes to Editors

About the report

The purpose of this report is to highlight the need for ocean scientists to prove causal links between ocean acidification (OA) and damage to marine species, and the challenges involved in doing so. The report is launching at COP16 two years after the previous conference adopted the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, target 8 of which mandates governments to minimise the impact of climate change and OA on biodiversity. 

To create this report, Back to Blue conducted a series of in-depth interviews with eight marine scientists and other ocean experts representing WWF International, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), University of Tokyo, University of Gothenburg, University of Edinburgh, UNESCO, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

About Back to Blue

Back to Blue is an initiative by Economist Impact and The Nippon Foundation aimed to focus efforts on evidence-based approaches and solutions that tackle escalating ocean challenges. While governments and policymakers have begun efforts towards restoring biodiversity and regenerating ocean health, there remains an ostensible knowledge gap on plastic and chemical pollution as well as ocean acidification. Recognising the need to stimulate fresh solutions to these, the initiative brings together both organisations' unique capabilities in ocean research and programme-building to create a powerful platform which will accelerate momentum in improving ocean health.

About Economist Impact

Economist Impact combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage a globally influential audience. With framework design, benchmarking, economic and social impact analysis, forecasting and scenario modelling, Economist Impact provides creative storytelling, events expertise, design-thinking solutions and market-leading media products.

About The Nippon Foundation

Established in 1962, The Nippon Foundation is Japan's largest philanthropic foundation. In ocean affairs, the Foundation aims to cultivate human resources who will chart a course for the ocean's future and to pass on the ocean's riches to future generations. Other primary areas of activity include support for children, persons with disabilities, disaster relief, and international cooperation.

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