Environmental Science
Global Governance of Ocean Acidification and Carbon Sinks
Quick fact
The ocean absorbs about 30% of human-released CO₂, reducing the rise in atmospheric temperatures but causing ocean acidification that threatens marine life and the livelihood of hundreds of millions of people.
Why this is interesting
You've heard of climate change, but did you know the oceans are becoming more acidic? And who decides how to protect them?
Read the full explanation
Understanding Global Governance of Ocean Acidification and Carbon Sinks
When humans burn fossil fuels, CO₂ enters the atmosphere. The ocean acts as a giant sponge, absorbing a large portion of this CO₂. Inside seawater, the CO₂ reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which lowers the ocean's pH—a process called ocean acidification. This change makes it harder for marine animals like corals, oysters, and plankton to build their calcium carbonate shells and skeletons. Because the ocean is shared across borders, no single country can fix this problem alone. This is where global governance comes in: a set of treaties, agreements, and international bodies that coordinate action on ocean protection. One major approach is managing carbon sinks—natural systems like forests, coastal mangroves, and the ocean itself that absorb CO₂. By protecting and enhancing these sinks, we can reduce atmospheric CO₂ and slow acidification.
A deeper explanation
Global governance of ocean acidification relies on international agreements, primarily the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement. These frameworks set targets for reducing CO₂ emissions, which directly address the root cause of acidification. Because carbon sinks absorb CO₂, they are a central mitigation strategy. The Paris Agreement encourages countries to protect and restore carbon sinks as part of their national climate plans. Special attention is given to 'blue carbon'—carbon captured by coastal and marine ecosystems like mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds. These ecosystems are highly efficient carbon sinks and also support biodiversity. UNESCO and the International Ocean Acidification Reference User Group provide scientific guidance and monitoring standards to help countries understand local impacts. The Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) also calls for action to address ocean acidification. However, governance faces challenges: emission reductions are lagging, and there are gaps in regulation regarding ocean-based geoengineering and deep-sea carbon storage. This makes global cooperation essential—no single nation can protect the oceans alone.