Environmental Research Letters (Jan 2023)

Are we ready for ocean acidification? A framework for assessing and advancing policy readiness

  • Rebecca Albright,
  • Lina Hansson,
  • Sarah R Cooley,
  • Jean-Pierre Gattuso,
  • Paul Marshall,
  • Nadine Marshall,
  • Stephen Fletcher,
  • Gunnar Haraldsson,
  • Ove Hoegh-Guldberg

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acc085
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 4
p. 041001

Abstract

Read online

Effective climate policy that addresses carbon dioxide emissions is essential to minimizing and addressing the impacts of ocean acidification (OA). Here we present a framework to assess the readiness of OA policy, using coral reefs as a focal system. Six dimensions encompass comprehensive preparation by ecosystems and societies for the impacts of OA and other anthropogenic hazards: (1) climate protection measures, (2) OA literacy, (3) area-based management, (4) research and development, (5) adaptive capacity of dependent sectors, and (6) policy coherence. We define standardized indicators, identify leading countries, and evaluate the case study of Australia, the country with the largest coral reef system. The framework provides a rubric for a government unit to self- assess strengths and weaknesses in policy preparedness and to prioritize future endeavors.

Keywords