Healthy, resilient oceans are essential to the world’s ecosystems and economies. The threats of overfishing, pollution and destructive resource extraction practices are obvious.  However, perhaps the biggest threat to the oceans is invisible: the increasing acidification of ocean waters resulting from increased CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere. As ocean waters are becoming more acidic, shell producing species are declining, putting the entire marine food chain at risk. The consequences of ocean acidification are especially critical for the Pacific Northwest, where the fishing, tourism, and recreation industries greatly depend on a vibrant and productive ocean ecosystem.

Join E2 for an evening EcoSalon on the threat of oceans acidification, as well as efforts underway to advance sustainable practices and policies. Our speakers will include Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA), who during his tenure in the House was the Chair of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment and a leading voice in Washington for addressing ocean acidification, NRDC Oceans Attorney Leila Monroe (see her blog), and Amy Grondin (see bio), a commercial fisherman from the fishing vessel the Duna, Sustainable Seafood Consultant and Commercial Fishing Outreach Specialist. This event will also feature a screening of the NRDC short film "Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification", narrated and promoted by actress Sigourney Weaver.

Contact Kevin Levy (klevy@nrdc.org), E2 Program Assistant, with any questions.