Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Country: France
Topic: Ocean Acidification
Ocean Acidification poses a serious threat to the stability and proper functioning of
marine ecosystems. Since the Industrial era, the acidity level of the ocean has increased by
almost 30%. This is happening at a rate faster than in the last 300 million years. (Chabaud,
Catherine/ 8 June 2017) Due to deforestation, fossil fuel emissions, and other human activities,
larger amounts of carbon dioxide are being released into the air. About one third of the carbon
dioxide released in the atmosphere by anthropogenic activities has been absorbed by the
world's oceans. (Andrew Hudson, 14 March 2017) As a result of this, the pH levels in oceans
have dramatically decreased. When pH levels in the water are lower, the water produces less
calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is an essential mineral to the survival of many marine
species, including oysters, sea urchins, and coral. Ocean acidification is a threat to all nations
that catch or eat fish, or depend on coral reefs for tourism or storm protection. Acidification hurts
not only our planet, but also the people living on it. Around the world, more than one billion
people depend on the ocean for their food supply. This loss of marine life due to acidification
also hurts the economy, as many people around the world rely on the fish and shellfish of the
ocean to make their living.
As a first step, France wishes to strengthen the understanding and knowledge about this
issue. Implementation of the Paris Agreement in more countries will contribute to not only
mitigating climate change, but also to slowing or even reversing ocean acidification. Reducing
nutrient pollution, like carbon dioxide, through the use of smart agricultural practices, restoring
wetlands, protecting coral reefs and other vital habitats in in marine protected areas, will grow
ecosystem resilience to possible threats, like acidification. (Chabaud, Catherine/ 8 June 2017)
The Delegation of France hopes that other countries will recognize the gravity of this issue and
actively try to gain knowledge on it in hope of finding a solution.
Cited Works
Hudson, Andrew. “Ocean Acidification- What It Means and How to Stop It .” United Nations
Development Programme, 14 Mar. 2017,
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2017/3/14/Ocean-Acidification-What-it-means-
and-how-to-stop-it.html
Farand, Chloe. “France Will 'Ban All Petrol and Diesel Vehicles by 2040'.” The Independent, 6
July 2017.
https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/france-petrol-diesel-ban-vehicles-cars-2040-
a7826831.html
http://www.epoca-project.eu/index.php/what-do-we-do.html