Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2012

[biffvernon]

EEA Report No 12/2012

Just in time for COP18 Doha, the European Environment Agency drops this report, illustrated by the scariest set of maps ever, onto the table.

http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/c ... lity-2012/

[biffvernon]

One of the least appreciated summaries:

Key messages: 3.1.2 Ocean acidification
• Surface-ocean pH has declined from 8.2 to 8.1 over the industrial era due to the growth of atmospheric
CO2 concentrations. This decline corresponds to a 30 % change in oceanic acidity.
• Observed reductions in surface-water pH are nearly identical across the global ocean and throughout
Europe's seas.
• Ocean acidification in recent decades is occurring a hundred times faster than during past natural
events over the last 55 million years.
• Ocean acidification already reaches into the deep ocean, particularly in the high latitudes.
• Average surface-water pH is projected to decline further to 7.7 or 7.8 by the year 2100, depending on
future CO2 emissions. This decline represents a 100 to 150 % increase in acidity.
• Ocean acidification may affect many marine organisms within the next 20 years and could alter marine
ecosystems and fisheries.

[emordnilap]

I believe seawater has (historically anyway) a similar pH to human blood. Tamper with it at your peril.

[biffvernon]

According to Wikipedia

Blood pH is regulated to stay within the narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45, making it slightly alkaline

so we've some way to go yet.

[emordnilap]

http://www.seashellsandsuch.com/article ... eblood.php