Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre

MEDIA RELEASE
5 August 2008

Call for action ocean acidification

The world's leading scientists in ocean acidification have released today an open communique that says the issue an urgent scientific and policy challenge.
The communiqu features the deliberations of world experts at the Ocean Acidification: Australian Impacts in the Global Context sponsored by the Australian Department of Climate Change, held in June in Hobart by the Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE CRC).

Dr Will Howard and Dr Bronte Tilbrook from the released the communiqu today, on behalf of the top-callibre participants of the workshop.

Key points in the communiqu are that:

the uptake of carbon dioxide emissions by the ocean is occurring at a rate exceeding the natural buffering capacity of the ocean.

the current trajectory of carbon emissions will cause a change in ocean acidity, during this century, that is greater in extent than anything likely to have occurred for millions of years.

Acidification due to ocean uptake of carbon dioxide is likely to have serious consequences for marine ecosystems and biodiversity in our region over this century.

Ocean acidification is unique among human impacts on the marine environment in its pervasiveness and persistence" the document says, requiring heightened awareness and dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and the public.

The communiqu follows the release of the ACE CRC's detailed Position Analysis on ocean acidification, released during the workshop.

The communiqu and the position analysis are available at:

www.acecrc.org.au

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Dr Will Howard is available for interview:

T: + 62 3 6226 7859

M: 0437 662 656

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Media Enquiries:
Jess Tyler
Communications Manager
Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre
T: +61 3 6226 2265
F: +61 3 6226 2440
M: 0419 315 381
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.acecrc.org.au
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The Antarctic Climate & Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE CRC) is a collaborativepartnership dedicated to the study of atmospheric and oceanic processes of the Southern Ocean, their role in global and regional climate change, and their impact on sustainable management of Antarctic marine ecosystems. The ACE CRC's core partners are the Australian Antarctic Division, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, and the University of Tasmania. Supporting partners are the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (Germany), the Australian Greenhouse Office, the Australian National University, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (New Zealand), Silicon Graphics International, and the Tasmanian Department of Economic Development.


Established and supported under the Australian Government's Cooperative Research Centre Program