SEATTLE, WA – As part of her ongoing commitment to examine the health of our nation’s oceans and waterways, Tuesday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) chaired an official Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and the Coast Guard hearing at the Seattle Aquarium along with Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA-01) on the Effects of Climate Change on Marine and Coastal Ecosystems in Washington. During the hearing, Cantwell, Chair of the Subcommittee, received testimony from national and regional experts on the affects of climate change on the health of Puget Sound and oceans, and the impact rising sea levels could have on Washington state communities. 

 

In addition, the hearing examined how ocean acidification is impacting Puget Sound, Washington's other waterways, the world’s oceans at large, and vulnerable species of marine life. Cantwell has long been concerned about the effects of climate change on ocean health and marine life especially in the Puget Sound and has been working to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide through increased use of alternative sources of energy.

 

“We can no longer ignore the impact carbon dioxide is having on our oceans,” said Cantwell during the hearing. “We are already seeing the impacts of rising carbon dioxide levels and climate change in the Pacific Northwest and off our coasts. When it comes to ocean acidification, we risk not just damaging the ocean’s ecosystem we are threatening its very foundation. When we combine the impact of ocean acidification with the additional climate change effects of increasing ocean temperatures, changing winds and currents, and rising sea levels, the impacts our carbon emissions will have on marine environments like the Puget Sound will be far too devastating to ignore.”

As seawater becomes more acidic, it may begin to withhold the basic chemical building blocks needed by many marine organisms. In regions like Washington, scientists predict that a more acidic ocean could dissolve the shells of the tiny organisms that make up the base of the ocean’s food chain. Warmer, more acidic oceans can destroy important fisheries and food chains in the Pacific Ocean, impacting Pacific Northwest icons like Pacific Salmon. Reduced Salmon runs would harm Puget Sound's endangered Southern Resident Orca populations that depend on the salmon as a major source of food.

 

In addition to damaging the environment, climate change also has the potential to significantly impact our communities and economy. Scientists have determined that the Southern Puget Sound is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, threatening cities like Tacoma and Olympia. For example, 80 percent of Washington's GDP is generated in the state’s coastal areas. As sea levels rise from climate change, however, many of these areas could end up underwater. By 2050, scientists project that some parts of the Puget Sound could experience as much as a two-foot rise in sea levels. 

 

“I thank Senator Cantwell for bringing a spotlight to the issue of marine health,” said U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), a hearing participant who is a co-chair of the House Oceans Caucus, co-sponsor of the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act, H.R. 4174, and a member of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.  “Even though Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean look majestic and healthy, below the surface we know that these are fragile ecosystems struggling from the stresses of global warming and other threats.”

 

Washington’s commercial fishing industry, which is threatened by disruptions from ocean acidification, produces gross annual sales of more than $3.5 billion and accounts for nearly 10,000 jobs in the Greater Seattle area. The recreational fishing industry in the state is valued at $1.6 billion, and $4.5 billion for the entire west coast. Nationwide, commercial fisheries contribute over $30 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

 

“While obvious economic impacts due to climate change have been raised, such as the loss of coastal development, rebuilding of infrastructure or impacts to commercial fisheries, impacts associated with the relationship between a healthy environment and a healthy economy are less frequently discussed,” said Kevin Ranker, San Juan County Commissioner, during his testimony. “The economic impact of losing key ecosystem services will be severe and widespread throughout our statewide economy.”

 

Atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is driving climate change, is responsible for ocean acidification. Emissions of carbon dioxide have increased the global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration by 35 percent. Over half a trillion tons of carbon dioxide or one third of all CO2 emissions since the start of the industrial revolution have been absorbed by our oceans.   Carbon dioxide reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, and in excess, causes oceans to become more acidic. This hinders the ability of reefs to rebuild and can dissolve the shells of animals such as plankton, scallops, clams, lobsters, and others forming the base of the food chain.

 

Late last year, the Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill by Cantwell and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) to study and address ocean acidification. Senators Ted Stevens (R-AK), John Kerry (D-MA), and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) are also co-sponsors.

 

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