Ocean Acidification and the Invisible, Imminent Threat to Human Health

Abstract

The ocean provides life with many resources necessary for survival, but rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide are hampering its life support capacity. One of the lesser known ways the ocean is impacted is through ocean acidification, hereafter termed OA. Despite being long thought to only affect the health of marine life, OA impacts human health as well, albeit indirectly. In this paper, I’ll review the available literature regarding OA, arguing that it can dramatically impair human longevity and quality of life through a variety of pathways. Additionally, I’ll discuss some of the most promising strategies to help governments mitigate OA and its effects, noting that an area’s socioeconomic background profoundly influences the scope of action. If not addressed, OA has the potential to permanently hinder the health of all humans.