Human Population's Impact on Ocean Acidification and Consequences

Abstract

This paper examines how exponential human population growth, and the induced intensification required to sustain that growth, contribute to and accelerate the process of ocean acidification, a critical yet overlooked consequence of anthropogenic activities. Utilizing the theoretical lens of induced intensification from Robbins et al.'s Environment and Society, alongside peer-reviewed research, this paper connects global food waste and unconscious consumption to the continuing issue of increased greenhouse gas emissions and ever declining marine biodiversity. Case studies, including Japan's food imports and waste patterns and the ecological vulnerabilities of marine species like the pteropod and Pacific cod, underscore how unsustainable consumption habits lead to significant environmental and economic costs. While innovations like golden rice address nutritional deficits, they often do so at the expense of ecosystem services and biodiversity. Ultimately, as we are shown, there is an irony to current human-environment interactions: if we are to meet the demand of exponentially growing populations, we are to simultaneously degrade the very ecosystems that sustain said life. To mitigate this issue of accelerated ocean acidification and dwindling biodiversity, it is critical we as a collective global community practice more conscious and sustainable approaches to consumption and food systems.