Overview

• A joint study by Plymouth Marine Laboratory, NOAA and Oregon State University shows that about 60% of waters at 200 meters depth and nearly half of surface waters have breached safe pH levels.
• Researchers found that the planetary acidification boundary was crossed around 2019 and by 2020 average global ocean conditions were already near or beyond that limit.
• The oceans have absorbed roughly one-third of all CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels, driving a drop in seawater pH that undermines coral reefs, shellfish and other calcifying organisms.
• Significant acidification off the western North America coast has disrupted crab, salmon and oyster fisheries, highlighting risks to coastal economies.
• The upcoming UN ocean conference in France will serve as a platform for governments to commit to emissions reductions and targeted conservation funding to combat worsening acidity.