Working Toward Solutions: Sea Level Rise and Coastal Communities

Submitted by sworden on Tue, 2012-10-09 13:12

October 2012: Working Toward Solutions: Sea Level Rise and Coastal Communities

The impacts of sea level rise are being felt in varying degrees of severity across the Pacific. On Pacific islands, increased and prolonged inundation is forcing governments to relocate some citizens while on the west coast of the United States, governments are considering how to protect airports, sewage treatment plants and other critical infrastructure. It is crucial to understand how climate change will impact the coast and what can be done to mitigate damage. Read more...

Natural Disaster Preparedness in the Pacific

Submitted by sworden on Mon, 2012-08-06 15:14

August 2012: Natural Disaster Preparedness in the Pacific

This month, the Pacific Ocean Library blog focuses on natural disaster preparedness in the Pacific. Historically the site of much volcanic activity, the Pacific region is now also experiencing climate change. Our blog looks into what this means for coastal communities and what strategies can be used to better prepare for natural disasters and hazards. Read more...

Support the Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs

Submitted by sworden on Mon, 2012-07-02 14:45

July 2012: Support the Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs

This month, the Pacific Ocean Library blog focuses on climate change and coral reefs. How is changing climate affecting corals and coral reef ecosystems in the Pacific? What solutions are being used to restore degraded coral reefs? Read more...

New Findings from the Pacific Ocean Library: Fish and Food Security: a viable path?

Submitted by sworden on Mon, 2012-06-04 15:34

June 2012: Fish and Food Security: a viable path?

This month, the Pacific Ocean Library blog focuses on fish and food security. How can fish provide a resource to combat world hunger? What steps are taking place locally and globally to ensure fisheries are managed sustainably in order to maintain the supply? Read more...

Dr. Susanne Moser named Google Science Communication Fellow

Submitted by cosedit on Wed, 2011-02-16 11:29

Dr. Susanne Moser, a social science research fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment and the Center for Ocean Solutions at Stanford University, was selected to be one of only 21 Google Science Communication Fellows. Moser and others were nominated by leaders in climate change research and science-based institutions across the U.S. to be part of this inaugural group of early to mid-career Ph.D. scientists named to the program. Read more...

Carbon dioxide is polluting the ocean: tackling ocean acidification under the Clean Water Act

Submitted by eloury on Wed, 2010-12-01 15:58

Animals like corals that depend on calcium carbonate to construct their skeletons are on the frontlines of the ocean's rising acidity. (photo: M. Fox)

by Melissa Foley, Science Early Career Fellow and Erin Loury, Science Communication Intern.

Ocean acidification, or the increase of low-pH, corrosive ocean waters, certainly qualifies as a process that impairs water quality. Now the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created guidance to address ocean acidification under the Clean Water Act.

On November 15^th, the EPA released a Memorandum to guide regions and states in reporting the impacts of ocean acidification under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, which requires states to submit a list of impaired water bodies that do not meet water quality standards, and develop total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for these waters. A TMDL is a calculation of the maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive and still safely meet water quality standards. In the case of ocean acidification, the main pollutant in question is carbon dioxide (CO₂). Read more...