Oceans Exceed Critical Acidification Threshold Threatening Marine Life Globally

Scientists warn that the world's oceans have crossed a critical "planetary boundary" due to acidification, driven primarily by the absorption of excess carbon dioxide from fossil fuel emissions, threatening marine ecosystems and biodiversity. This breach marks the seventh of nine vital Earth system thresholds exceeded, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, indicating severe strain on planetary stability. Ocean acidification disrupts marine life that depends on calcium carbonate for shells and skeletons, jeopardizing the marine food chain and the broader ecological balance. Alongside acidification, human pressures such as overfishing, pollution, and rising temperatures are projected to more than double by 2050, with the most rapid impacts near the equator, poles, and coastal regions. Researchers emphasize that focusing solely on climate change is insufficient, as these interconnected Earth system disruptions collectively threaten global resilience and stability. The cumulative effects underscore an urgent need for comprehensive measures to mitigate human impacts and preserve ocean health for the future.