Alaska's jobs, our communities and our fishing legacy are at risk from the impacts of ocean acidification and climate change. Scientists from Alaska and around the world warn that the waters nourishing our fish and marine life face an uncertain future. Millions of tons of carbon dioxide emitted from smokestacks and tailpipes are absorbed by the ocean each day, causing marine waters to become more acidic. High latitude waters like Alaska are especially vulnerable. (Learn more about ocean acidification.)

The National Academy of Sciences warns that unless we substantially curb carbon emissions, the oceans will continue to become more acidic. Now is the time to pass straightforward legislation that simply puts a price and a cap on emissions. This approach will unleash entrepreneurial development of clean energy technologies, strengthen the US economy and make the US more competitive internationally while creating jobs and opportunity at home. Cuts to emissions consistent with those recommended by the scientific community (25% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2080) are possible if we act NOW.

The summer of 2010 will be a turning point in achieving solutions to ocean acidification and moving our nation towards a clean energy economy. The US House and Senate are gearing up for a critical debate on pending legislation to redirect national energy policy to reduce carbon emissions. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich play key roles in Senate deliberations on the energy bill. Now is the time for Alaskans to urge them to safeguard our oceans and fisheries through effective carbon emissions reduction.