MARITIME INSTITUTE OF MALAYSIA

OFFICIAL PORTAL

World Oceans Day 2021 – Ocean Acidification: Impacts on Life and Livelihoods

Virtual platform

During the last few decades, the oceans have absorbed around one-third of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The addition of CO2 causes changes in the chemistry of saltwater, particularly in the carbonate system. Because of the increased CO2, which lowers seawater pH and increases its acidity, these effects are referred to as “ocean acidification”.

The Webinar

Climate change is a topic of discussion at many levels, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the issues associated with it. Worsening emission projections and a general perception that the ongoing impacts are unfolding more quickly are of particular concern. While public awareness of a wide variety of climate change consequences has developed, ocean acidification and associated hazards to the environment and socio-economic systems remain rarely understood outside of the community of researchers and other stakeholders working on the issue.

In light of this, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) hosted a Webinar on “Ocean Acidification: Impacts on Life and Livelihoods” as part of its seminar series on 8 June, in connection with World Oceans Day (WOD). MIMA was invited to participate in the forum.

Presentations by speakers during the Webinar for a better understanding of the different aspects of ocean acidification.

Cheryl Rita Kaur, Head of MIMA’s Centre for Coastal and Marine Environment, spoke on “Ocean Acidification as an Emerging Area: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy.” Aside from MIMA, presenters included Prof. Grant Bigg of the University of Sheffield’s Department of Geography and Assoc. Prof. Dr Ong Meng Chuan of the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu’s Faculty of Science and Marine Environment. The event, moderated by Dr Abd. Muhaimin Amirudddin of UPM had over 100 participants from various backgrounds.

Cheryl Rita from MIMA spoke on ocean acidification from the policy and management aspects.

The discussions focused on raising awareness on the understanding of ocean acidification in the context of climate change, address information gaps, as well as putting forward suggestions as a way to address the issue in the short-to-medium term.

The participants from various backgrounds.

The webinar recording is available at the following Facebook link: 
https://fb.watch/5-5qO6Xj7C/

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