It’s well known that climate change is important. From heat domes to devastating wildfires, British Columbians are already familiar with the negative impacts. What isn’t talked about enough is ocean acidification, often described as global warming’s evil twin. We are expecting to see the lowest ocean pH since the middle Miocene, 14-17 million years ago. As the ocean becomes more acidic, what are the implications for British Columbians, from the seafood we like to eat to the ecosystems we value so dearly?

We know that shellfish are especially vulnerable because building shells is more difficult at a lower pH. Research at the Harley Lab is finding that under lower pH, shellfish grow slower. This means a longer time to market, and possibly higher vulnerability to predators. On the plus side, ocean acidification does not make shellfish more vulnerable to heatwaves. Overall, oysters seem relatively robust, but there may be tipping points past which ecological and economic impacts snowball rapidly.

Tara Bruder and Georgia Hall are grad students in the Harley Lab at the University of British Columbia. They will present alongside Dr. Chris Harley.

This presentation will be in person at Vancouver Unitarians in Hewett Hall. Doors will open at 7 PM with light refreshments, and time for socializing. There will be a door prize.

The presentation will also be available via Zoom Video Conferencing. On the Monday preceding the event, Nature Vancouver members will receive the Zoom link in the weekly e-News.  The talk will begin at 7:30 pm.  Non-members are welcome and should Email enews@NatureVancouver.ca a few days ahead to register for the link.