Ocean Acidification

Floor Speech

Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, our future is clouded by ocean acidification. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, ocean waters have seen a 30 percent increase in acidity. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, by the end of this century, the waters of the ocean could be nearly 150 percent more acidic, resulting in a pH that the oceans haven't seen for more than 20 million years.

This will have a dramatic and devastating effect on many marine creatures. It disrupts the calcification process of many species, including oysters, clams, corals, and plankton, putting the entire food chain at risk.

This will damage California's $24 billion fishing industry, which supports 145,000 jobs; and California's $25 million-a-year shellfish industry could also disappear.

We need to take action to prevent the effects of climate change from getting worse. We cannot stand by as we see our environment continue to deteriorate. The cost of inaction is too great. I call on this Congress to act to protect our planet for our children and our grandchildren.

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