Ocean Acidification Commentary Ellycia R Harrould-Kolieb and Dorothée Herr co-wrote the article Ocean Acidification and Climate Change: Synergies and Challenges of Addressing Both under the UNFCCC, published in the 2012 Journal of Climate Politics. The article describes how the release of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere, which causes climate change, is causing ocean acidification, but through international policies the effects of ocean acidification can be mitigated. Since the Industrial Revolution of the 18th century, approximately 1.6 trillion tons of carbon dioxide have been added to the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation (Harrould-Kolieb and Herr 378). The world's oceans have absorbed about 30% of that carbon dioxide. This absorption has been helpful in keeping that 30% out of the atmosphere, where it causes climate change, but has a negative impact on water quality. When carbon dioxide reacts with water, it forms carbonic acid. In the oceans, carbonic acid releases hydrogen ions which increase the acidity of the water. Due to human action, ocean acidity has increased by 30% compared to pre-industrial times and by 2050 ocean acidity is predicted to be the highest it has been in 20 million years (Harrould-Kolieb and Herr 379). This influx of carbon dioxide is threatening the marine environment. life. Coral reefs represent crucial habitat for 25% of marine species. The increase in water acidity is causing a decrease in the growth of the coral skeleton. If current trends in carbon dioxide emissions continue, net coral reefs could begin to dissolve by the end of the century (Harrould-Kolieb and Herr 380). In addition to increasing the acidity of the ocean, the hydrogen ions released by carbonic acid also react with carbonate ions. Low t...... middle of paper ...... beyond command control and provide market-based solutions to climate change. These mechanisms were established by Kyoto and, with the involvement of the dozen major emitters, can significantly reduce emissions. Mechanisms would include Cap and Trade, which creates a market for carbon dioxide that leads to innovation and incentives to reduce emissions. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) would encourage developed states to build renewable energy projects in developing states because they would earn carbon credits that they could sell on the Cap and Trade carbon market. The CDM would also lower the cost of renewable energy because, in addition to selling the energy, energy companies would also profit from carbon credits (Snow 133). These measures could effectively address climate change at the international level because they would limit the scope of different interests between the parties.