Acid oceans are shrinking plankton, fuelling faster climate change

Increasingly acidic oceans are putting algae at risk, threatening the foundation of the entire marine food web. 

Researchers investigated how acidic oceans
affect plankton in Prydz Bay, East Antarctica.

Our research into the effects of CO₂-induced changes to microscopic ocean algae – called phytoplankton – was published today in Nature Climate Change. It has uncovered a previously unrecognised threat from ocean acidification.

In our study we discovered increased seawater acidity reduced Antarctic phytoplanktons’ ability to build strong cell walls, making them smaller and less effective at storing carbon. At current rates of seawater acidification, we could see this effect before the end of the century.

Read the story from The Conversation - “Acid oceans are shrinking plankton, fuelling faster climate change.”

We need to get beyond economics to some truly 'wicked problems'

Most everything in Australian politics is considered in terms of economics.

The fiscal world is alive with strategic thinking, but in reality that same thinking and effort should be made when considering the environment for it is the foundation of everything economic.

Australia21 has just released the report - “Considering the environment in national strategic thinking” - prepared for the Department of Agriculture on behalf of Australia21 by Steven Cork, drawing on notes from Michele Barson, Nicky Grigg, Clare Kerr, and Adrienne Ryan.

It says: “Australia faces many ‘wicked problems’ (complex problems that are hard to define and analyse, are interpreted differently by different parts of society, and often lead to conflicting views on solutions).

“Many have major environmental components. Examples include: population; water management; support for Indigenous Australians; immigration; food security; national security; environmental management and conservation,” it says.

Environmental and social issues will need to become top of mind if Australia is to play its part in both understanding and mitigating climate change.