What Else Is Happening?
As the acidification of the ocean begins to harm the ocean ecosystem and us, it also has a very large effect on the economy and our cultures. Economically, many of the world’s industries are dependent on the ocean. Many of the cities on coasts all around the world depend on the ocean for their main economic inputs. For example, Cape Cod’s tourism industry relies on the sea shells and the stereotypical ocean souvenirs. If the shells and the usual ocean icons are gone because of ocean acidification, then the basis of many cultures, will be lost. 10
Many tropical islands and islands in the pacific will lose large parts of their economy. Many of these islands have similar weather all year round and are able to provide tourists with wonderful experiences, scuba diving in coral reefs, going on boat rides to see dolphins, and even swimming with sharks. All of these activities will be lost, and the interest in going to these places will also be lost, not only hurting the local, coastal economies, but the entire country as well. These countries also are currently experiencing other threats to their ways of life. They are already experiencing population increases, over-development of industrial and commercial properties, exploitation of coastal resources, mangrove clearance, and sand/ aggregate extraction, now ocean acidification is going to remove them from their lifestyle. 9
The fishing industry will also be severely harmed. An ocean that is too warm and acidic for most main fish consumed by humans will be a definite problem. The entire seafood industry will be damaged. Since we do not know exactly what will happen if we continue down this road, the effects that phytoplankton dying could have a much larger impact than anyone thought possible. Less fish also means less food, which will most likely mean that richer countries will buy what little protein they can from developing countries to feed their people, a prime example of the tragedy of the commons. 13