MEDIA ADVISORY:  October 10, 2007                                                

(Kodiak, Alaska) – On Monday, October 15 the Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) will host a presentation on “Ocean Acidification and Alaska’s Fisheries” followed by a community discussion on what Kodiak can do to address climate change on Tuesday, October 16. Both events are free and open to the public.

“Not only are carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂) contributing to climate change and warming ocean temperatures, but they are also changing the basic chemistry of seawater,” explained Martha Levensaler, Climate Change Project Director of the AMCC.

“By poisoning the ocean, carbon dioxide threatens the future of the world’s major fisheries,” according to Brad Warren, a fisheries journalist and director of the Productive Ocean Partnership who will be speaking at Monday night’s event. “The fishing industry now faces the urgent challenge of protecting the sea that feeds us,” said Warren.

Increased acidity of seawater causes a decrease in the availability of calcium carbonate necessary for many marine organisms that produce shells and skeletons.  One of the many species at risk are small marine snails called pteropods. These free swimming animals are at the bottom of the food chain and are an important food source for everything from krill, to salmon and whales.

“As a community that relies heavily on the health of fisheries, we can’t afford not to reduce our CO₂ emissions,” said Theresa Peterson, Kodiak Outreach Coordinator for AMCC. “It’s time for everyone to get involved in being part of the solution, and that’s what Tuesday’s event is all about,” said Peterson.

Kodiak is one of five cities in Alaska and nearly 700 nationwide that have joined the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign, an initiative that empowers local governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “AMCC fully supports this important step taken by the City. It is our hope that in bringing speakers such as Mr. Warren to Kodiak we can be a resource for all who are working to tackle climate change in Kodiak,” said Peterson.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15

WHAT: "Ocean Acidification and Alaska's Fisheries: Confronting the 'Evil Twin' of Climate Change" presented by Brad Warren

WHEN: 7:00 - 8:30 pm

WHERE: Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium, Drama Pod, Kodiak 

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16

WHAT: "Tackling Climate Change: A Public Discussion on Community Solutions" facilitated by AMCC

WHEN: 7:00 -8:30 pm

WHERE: Fishermen's Hall

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