Ocean Acidification

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is continually being released into the atmosphere through human activities such as the burning of coal and natural gas (fossil fuels) and even deforestation. As CO2 in the atmosphere increases, so does the amount that is being absorbed by the oceans. As levels of CO2 increase, the pH decreases making the oceans more acidic. This phenomenon is known as ocean acidification and is another side effect of global warming.

A more acidic ocean will affect the ability of marine animals - like corals, snails and clams - to make the shells and skeletons they depend on to survive.

You can help!

1. Conserve water. Transporting and treating water requires about 10% of California's energy annually.

2. Plant more shade trees. Over its lifetime, a typical tree in San Diego absorbs 780 pounds of carbon dioxide.

3. Recycle paper, glass, and metal. By recycling half the waste you generate at home and using recycled products, you can keep 2400 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere each year.

4. Use more energy from renewable sources. The San Diego Regional Energy Office will launch an energy rebate program in 2007, with tens of millions of dollars available annually for rebates to consumers who install solar-power or wind-power sources.

5. Wash your clothes in cold water. About 90% of the energy used to wash your clothes is to heat the water!

6. Line-dry your clothes. There is no shortage of sunlight in San Diego, and you won't emit any carbon dioxide!

7. Encourage your family and friends and local, state, and federal government representatives to take the steps necessary to curb global warming.


For more information on global warming and how you can help, visit the following websites:

Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge
Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Birch Aquarium's Green Flash Concert Series supports the Climate Challenge exhibit

Pew Center for Global Climate Change
Flex your power, Energy Saving Tips
Website for Academy Award Winner, 'An Inconvenient Truth'
StopGlobalWarming.com