In this era of round-the-clock headline news, it can be hard for anyone topic to grab our attention. And while it may have flown under the radar, a recent Congressional bill dealing with the dangerous topic of ocean acidification quietly passed its vote with 95% approval.
Calling for further innovations and research on this threat to the valuable Gulf shellfish industry, the Ocean Acidification Innovation Act (HR 1921) had broad bipartisan support, with 88% of Republican Representatives voting in favor.
As a member of the key Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Rep. Palazzo rightly showed his concern for ocean acidification by voting in favor of this Bill.
This summer already has been a difficult one for our Mississippi oyster beds due to the unprecedented releases of freshwater from Louisiana spillways.
Unfortunately, these large flood releases will likely become more common in years to come.
Warmer Gulf water temperatures lead to an increase in atmospheric water vapor, which in our region leads to greater inland precipitation. As our Gulf waters get warmer, we are projected to experience more of the large rainfall events that lead to flooding.
While oyster beds and shrimping grounds are damaged by freshwater floods, they also are hurt by ocean acidification.
When we burn fossil fuels, we release CO2 into the atmosphere; 40% of those Carbon emissions are absorbed by oceans, where it’s then changed to Carbonic Acid.
Shellfish need to accumulate Calcium Carbonate for growing their shells.
In a more-acidic ocean, oyster larvae need to expend more energy to grow their shells and they do not survive to adulthood as well.
During the course of the past decade in the Pacific Northwest, oyster mortality due to acidic water has led to the economic collapse of that industry.
Here in Mississippi, oysters alone account for nearly half a billion dollars in sales and nearly 200 million dollars in salaries.
Is there an opportunity for technological adaptation such as buffering of marine waters, or development of a new oyster strain with greater larval energy reserves?
Absolutely, and Rep. Palazzo should be applauded for supporting such valuable research initiatives! But there will come a time when technology will not be able to overcome a warmer, deeper, more acidic ocean.
Whether due to freshwater releases or ocean acidification, the greatest threat to our valuable Gulf shellfish industry is greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.
There is no way to fix these problems without addressing their cause.
Fortunately, there is a bipartisan group in Congress, the Climate Solutions Caucus, which is calling for a market-based approach to reducing emissions. Support for this approach, called Carbon Fee and Dividend, ranges from the petroleum industry (especially Shell), the Department of Defense, major spiritual leaders such as Pope Francis, the popular sportsmen’s group Trout Unlimited, and even prominent service organizations such as Rotary International.
Implementing this economic plan for reducing carbon emissions is projected to lead to economic growth and development of important innovations across our country.
To avoid the worst effects of global warming, we need to reduce our carbon emissions now. Support for climate action by voters, both Conservative and Progressive alike, will be a major factor in future elections.
Chris Werle is leader of the Hattiesburg chapter of the Citizens' Climate Lobby, and can be reached at hattiesburg@citizensclimatelobby.org
