FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2008

(Anchorage, Alaska). A panel discussion on “Climate Change – Oceans, Fisheries and Marine Mammals” on February 12, 2008 at the Annual Alaska Forum on the Environment will highlight how climate change is impacting marine ecosystems.  

“When talking about climate change and the oceans, you can’t ignore the problem of ocean acidification,” explained Martha Levensaler, Climate Change Program Director for the Alaska Marine Conservation Council and moderator of the panel.

Ocean acidification is caused by the same carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions that are the leading cause of global climate change. Since the beginning of the industrial era two hundred years ago, the world’s oceans have absorbed nearly half of all CO₂ emissions. As a result, the surface layers of our oceans have become almost 30% more acidic.

Guest panelist Dr. Richard Feely has been widely recognized for his pioneering research on ocean acidification. Recent studies have shown that the increased concentrations of CO₂ in the oceans are causing significant changes in marine ecosystems.

Marine organisms that form shells depend on minerals in seawater to build their support structures. A more acidic ocean decreases the availability of these minerals to corals, clams, crab and other species. Scientists are discovering that the shells of these creatures can actually begin to dissolve in more acidic waters. Of particular concern is the effect on pteropods – tiny marine snails at the base of the food chain. Pteropods are a main food source for salmon.

“Because many Alaskans depend on the sea’s bounty, it is vital to make more people aware of this invisible threat to the long-term health of our oceans,” said Levensaler. “With good information, we can work together on solutions to reduce CO₂ emissions,” Levensaler said. In addition to the Alaska Forum on the Environment, Dr. Feely will be speaking in Homer on February 13 and in Kodiak on February 14 at events organized by the Alaska Marine Conservation Council.

WHAT: Panel on “Climate Change – Oceans, Fisheries, Marine Mammals” at the 2008 Alaska Forum on the Environment

PANELISTS:  

Richard A. Feely, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, NOAA

Brenda Norcross, Institute of Marine Science, UAF

Jim Balsiger, NOAA

Doug Woodby, Alaska Department of Fish & Game

Monica Riedel, Indigenous People’s Council on Marine Mammals

Dorothy Childers and Muriel Morse, Alaska Marine Conservation Council

Jim Ayers and Caleb Pungowiyi, Oceana

WHEN: Tuesday February 12, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

WHERE: Egan Convention Center, Anchorage

Dr. Feely’s visit to Alaska is sponsored by the Alaska Marine Conservation Council with funding from National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs and ARCUS.         

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