WHAT IS OCEAN ACIDIFICATION?

WHAT IS OCEAN ACIDIFICATION?

The Philippine government seems aware of the looming threat of ocean acidification, but awareness without urgency is not enough. The pace of action is slow, while the damage is accelerating. Corals are dying, marine biodiversity is weakening, and livelihoods dependent on healthy seas are at risk. This is one of those issues where hesitation could mean irreversible loss.

So, what exactly is ocean acidification? Simply put, it’s the process by which our oceans absorb excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. Around 30–40% of the CO₂ we release by burning fossil fuels dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid. That acid breaks down into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, and those hydrogen ions make seawater more acidic. Since the Industrial Revolution, ocean surface pH has dropped from about 8.2 to 8.1—a seemingly tiny change that actually translates to a 25% increase in acidity. For shell-forming organisms, that’s catastrophic.

Corals, clams, oysters, and plankton need carbonate ions to build their skeletons and shells. But as the ocean becomes more acidic, these ions become scarcer, leaving marine life weaker and more vulnerable. Coral reefs, the “rainforests of the sea,” are hit especially hard. Combined with rising sea temperatures, acidification slows coral recovery and drives widespread bleaching. That means fewer fish nurseries, less protection from storm surges, and diminished biodiversity. For a country like the Philippines—sitting right in the Coral Triangle and dependent on reef-based fisheries—this is not just an environmental issue. It’s an economic and food security crisis in the making.

Globally, scientists have sounded the alarm for years. Locally, some steps are being taken. The Coastal Acidification Program (CAP), led by UP Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) and De La Salle University with support from PCAARRD, has already gathered baseline data from 63 sites nationwide. They even built a mesocosm system to simulate acidified ocean conditions and study plankton responses. These are important first steps, but we need more than just research papers—we need laws, policies, and enforcement.

Right now, no dedicated legislation on ocean acidification exists. Researchers suggest folding it into the National Climate Change Action Plan, but is that enough? I would argue that Congress should pass a law specifically addressing this threat—something like an Ocean Acidification Prevention and Resilience Act. Such a law could mandate nationwide monitoring, set up community-based sensors in coastal towns, regulate high CO₂-emitting industries near the coasts, and fund adaptation programs for fisherfolk. If Congress takes too long, the President could even issue an Executive Order to jump-start coordination between agencies.

And coordination is key. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), UP-MSI, and the UP College of Fisheries and Ocean Studies should not be working in silos. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and even local governments must be fully engaged. Without synchronized action, our scattered efforts will not match the scale of the problem.

Let’s also not forget the livelihood side of the equation. Fisherfolk and coastal communities will bear the brunt of acidification. As reefs degrade and shellfish populations decline, their incomes will shrink. That’s why any law or program should include a transition fund, promote acidification-resilient species, and support community-based reef stewardship. Imagine equipping barangays not only with data but with the means to restore mangroves, farm seaweed, and protect reefs as natural defenses against both acidification and climate change.

Another crucial step is public awareness. How many Filipinos have even heard of “ocean acidification”? Ask the average student, or even the average policymaker, and the answers will likely be vague. This is where education must come in—DepEd can integrate it into science curricula, LGUs can launch information drives, and the media can frame it not as an abstract chemistry lesson but as a real threat to fish, food, and families.

Some will ask: do we really need another law? Can’t we just use the existing ones like the Fisheries Code, the Clean Water Act, or the Food Safety Act? Those are important, but they weren’t designed to confront acidification directly. We need to acknowledge it as a distinct hazard—one that affects biodiversity, food security, and even national security.

The Philippines has always been proud of being part of the Coral Triangle. But pride alone won’t keep our reefs alive. Without urgent action, ocean acidification could silently erode the very foundation of our marine ecosystems. This is not a problem for tomorrow. It is happening now. And if we fail to act decisively, we may soon find that the ocean, which has fed and protected us for centuries, has become too weak to do so anymore.

The time to act is not later. The time is now.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres

iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com 

01-17-2026