Harnessing the potential of the Clean Water Act to address ocean acidification

Abstract

"In the halls of Congress and at the climate conference in Copenhagen, the question of how we can agree to reduce greenhouse gas pollution looms large. Under the sea’s surface, the question is whether the carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions will come soon enough. Each day the oceans absorb another 22 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere, altering seawater chemistry and making it more acidic. Ocean acidification is rapidly advancing, with harmful consequences for marine life and ocean ecosystems on the horizon. Yet, ocean acidification has received far too little attention in the public and policy debate around climate change. We need a fresh approach to the problem of ocean acidification, and there is no need to wait for a new climate law or treaty. Instead, the Clean Water Act offers a framework with the potential to begin to address this dire problem." (p. 1)