Some scientists consider it perhaps the most troubling effect of climate change on the ocean: increasing acidity caused by absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). The potential implications, especially for the myriad of species that live in the ocean, could be dire, if current trends continue. But it’s a concern that only recently has begun to reach public attention, and many people may be uninformed or uncertain about the background science.

To help, three short video interview segments with a leading scientific authority, produced by Oregon Sea Grant. The interview is with Dr. Richard Feely, a senior scientist with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Marine Environmental Lab in Seattle. Feely was the chief scientist on the North American Carbon Program West Coast Cruise in 2007, which established important baseline science. Feely is also active internationally as a member of the European Ocean Acidification International Scientific Advisory Panel.

In the clips, Feely addresses three essential questions about ocean acidification: what’s causing it; how it’s affecting ocean animals, and how it may affect ocean ecosystems. The succinct clips run from 1-3 minutes; Joe Cone was the interviewer and videographer; Steve Roberts edited.

Video clips

“Science” journal article by Feely and others