Climate & Energy

Ever sinces Earth’s creation, the oceans have been absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide in a system that keeps our planet’s atmosphere in balance. Now, because of the burning of fossil fuels, the oceans are becoming saturated with carbon.

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Overview

Ever sinces Earth’s creation, the oceans have been absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide in a system that keeps our planet’s atmosphere in balance. Now, because of the burning of fossil fuels, the oceans are becoming saturated with carbon. Carbon dioxide is changing the very chemistry of the oceans, causing them to become more acidic and jeopardizing the future of coral reefs and organisms that produce shells. The oceans are also warming, thus increasing the intensity of storms, causing sea levels to rise and disrupting ecosystems and ocean circulation.