Ocean Acidification Consequences

In the New York Times article “Our Deadened, Carbon-soaked Seas,” co-op authors Richard W. Spinrad and Ian Boyd call attention to the calamity of ocean acidification and the effect that it is having on multiple parts of the planet, including the marine ecosystems, shellfish quantities, and toxic evolution of algal species. By giving a definition of what ocean acidification is, and explaining the drastic effects carbon pollution is causing to our waters, Spinrad and Boyd effectively describes a horrendous problem that humanity must avert their attention to, urging people to take action before this planet’s waters become unchangeable.

Although this article is scientific, it is written simply and pointedly in order for everyday people to make sense of the data it consists of, signifying that the authors’ intended audience is everyone and not only scientists specializing in this field of study.

When it comes to the environment, for many years people have been saying that we have to do something- and they’re absolutely right- but nearly anyone is doing enough to make a difference.

There are so many articles like this, littered all over the internet as if it were the very same plastic rings polluting our oceans, and yet there has been barely any, if not no, improvement. Near the end of the article Spinrad and Boyd talk about the “Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network,” which is a “collaboration of scientists” interested in managing and observing carbon output, as if it is a partial solution to the crisis.

Get quality help now

Sweet V

Verified

Proficient in: Ocean

4.9 (984)

“ Ok, let me say I’m extremely satisfy with the result while it was a last minute thing. I really enjoy the effort put in. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Sure, I agree that there are elements to it that would be substantial to the the cause, however, at this point it is a little too late and humanity needs to act, as a whole, actively. It’s too late for studies and experiments- part of the solution is already here: healthier energy solutions. All the time I hear from people I know that they would convert if the price was reasonable- The price! If there was a better supply, costs would drop, and more and more people would be able to afford it; the carbon emissions would ultimately lower because of it. This would not be the complete solution to the problem, of course, but it’s a start.

Another reason why some people don’t do anything, or even care, is because they believe that the consequences of our actions to the planet won’t occur in our lifetime so there is no point in worrying about it- this is false. No one knows for certain when the consequences will come for our mistakes, and if it doesn’t happen in our lifetime it will definitely happen to our descendants. Spinrad and Boyd also agree with this, asserting in their article, that “we ignore the risks of ocean acidification at our own peril,” and “that of future generations.” Our planet, and the environment we live in, comes above everything else- money, politics, war, education, economics- because if we continue to be prodigal with our resources… None of us will have a planet to live on, and it will be a permanent game over.

In the first paragraph of the article, Spinrad and Boyd utilize the simile “like a sponge” while comparing the sea to the amount of carbon dioxide that is being absorbed from the atmosphere. The word sponge by itself has a soggy, sickly connotation to it and by comparing it to the sea, it is emphasizing and giving a visual representation in the reader’s mind of how unhealthy our bodies of water are becoming due to pollution. They are soaking up all of the grime from the air- just as a sponge does to foodwater as one is washing the dishes.