Ocean Acidification

Ocean acidification is a recently confirmed up-and-coming problem that is linked to global climate change. Sometimes referred to as "the other carbon problem," ocean acidification results from the ocean acting as a chemical sink for CO2 in the atmosphere. When the CO2 dissolves into the water, it undergoes a chemical reaction and becomes carbonic acid, and this is argued to be detrimental for any and all organisms in the ocean that create shells or skeletons out of calcium carbonate. Similarly to the increase in carbon in the atmosphere over the past several decades, there has been an increase in carbon in the ocean as well, and the imminent problem acidification poses is the threat of collapsing food chains and ecosystems as corals and other base organisms fail to thrive in an altered environment.

The following articles are examined for their viewpoints on the issue of ocean acidification. Types of media included range from videos, to news articles, to fact sheets and brochures, and are evaluated for scientific balance and logical reasoning.

Monday, July 4, 2011

"Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification"

A video by the Natural Resources Defence Council.

This video collects the viewpoints of many experts into one document, but they all align with the basic assumption of climate change as caused by human factors. Much emotional imagery and language is used, but it is in conjunction with stated scientific fact by agreed upon experts in the field. Reference to scientific modelling is made, and connections to background information and connected issues are explained. Scientists are shown doing their physical research, and the viewer is able to see what the scientist sees when coming to conclusions. The treatment of the topic is very comprehensive, covering not only scientific but social aspects. Criticism and scepticism of the science is addressed, and solutions are suggested in a systemic and holistic way.

I find the viewpoint to be very balanced, scientifically and holistically. There is a good mix of emotion and fact to keep the viewer engaged, but also appropriately informed. Links to the funding organization provide a wealth of background information and scientific research. As the funding organization, the National Resource Defence Council, is a prominent environmental action group, it makes sense that they would wish for a base of credible science to support their causes.

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