From the Australian Science Media Centre: The ‘Evil Twin’ of Climate Change -- Ocean Acidification. (April 5, 2011)

FROM GREENHOUSE 2011 (Cairns) - Tuesday 5 April ausAMC (the Australian Science Media Centre) webcast The ‘Evil Twin’ of Climate Change -- Ocean Acidification.

Ocean acidification (where the water becomes more acidic) is often called ‘the evil twin of climate change’ and is considered by many to be as great a problem as increasing temperatures. The oceans not only support the nutrition and livelihoods of millions of people but also play an incredibly important role in locking down carbon, and scientists are concerned about the impact that acidification may have on both marine life and future climate change.

Here four expert speakers will be on hand to discuss the current state of knowledge, release a new report card on the Southern Ocean and discuss the impact on coral reefs and what can be done to stop it.

The experts are all presenting at, or are associated with, Greenhouse 2011, the science of Climate Change conference in Cairns, 4-8 April 2011. Journalists attending the conference may attend the briefing in person.

Listen in to the briefing to ask questions such as:

• How big an issue is ocean acidification and what can be done to stop it?

• What is the Southern ocean report card and why does it matter?

• Is ocean acidification the biggest threat to the Great Barrier reef or should we be more worried about something else?

• Are there any areas or animals that will actually benefit from ocean acidification?

SPEAKERS:

• Dr Tony Press, Chief Executive Officer position at the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (ACE CRC) | Listen (mp3)

• Prof Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Professor of Marine Studies and Executive Director of the Global Change Institute, at the University of Queensland | Listen (mp3)

• Dr Paul Marshall, Director of Climate Change Group, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) | Listen (mp3)

• Dr Donna Roberts, Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre (by phone from Tasmania) | Abstract (pdf) | Listen (mp3)
   

• And Listen to the Q and A session here (mp3)