The study finds that parts of the polar oceans have already passed critical thresholds, threatening species that form the base of the marine food chain. Tropical regions are also at risk, with coral reefs—vital to tourism and fisheries—struggling to grow as water chemistry changes.
Businesses dependent on ocean resources need to understand that these risks aren’t limited to surface waters. Chemical changes are happening at deeper levels too, shrinking habitable zones for marine life. Companies relying on seafood, offshore resources, or healthy coastal environments should prepare for these shifts now.
The study recommends tightening global targets for ocean health. Scientists say current safety limits are too weak to protect key marine ecosystems. Stronger standards would help safeguard fish stocks, coral reefs, and shellfish beds that many businesses rely on.
But meeting these tougher goals requires urgent action. Ocean acidification is driven by carbon emissions—so cutting emissions faster, and supporting efforts to remove carbon from the atmosphere, is critical.
For companies, the message is clear: achieving meaningful resilience will require not only reducing direct emissions but also supporting broader efforts to remove atmospheric carbon. Proactive, location-specific strategies will be critical, as impacts vary significantly between regions and depth zones.
