Ocean Acidification on Marine Ecosystems

Ocean acidification results from the ocean absorbing carbon dioxide from the air--much of it emitted through human activities. Since around 1850, the ocean has reduced the amount of carbon dioxide humans have contributed to the Earth’s atmosphere by just over one-third, contributing greatly to reducing climate change. Also since that time, the amount of acid in the ocean has increased 26 percent, a rate 10 times any seen in the last 55 million years.

Ocean acidification affects the food web, ecosystems, and ecosystem services, all of which are closely intertwined. The marine ecosystem comprises crabs, sponges, oysters, sea urchins, and starfish, in addition to coral reefs and the numerous algae and plankton that are found there. Because marine life often gets its food source from other marine life, changes in the food web impact all sea life.

Whether close to shore or at the greatest depth of the ocean, coral reefs provide sustenance for the entire ocean ecosystem. Therefore, when ocean acidification impacts these reefs, the environment experiences a domino effect.

Coral reefs are calcium carbonate structures. Zooxanthellate corals and calcifying macroalgae are some of the major contributors of calcium carbonate to the reefs. Increased exposure to acidic seas can adversely impact reef growth by reducing calcification and reproduction rates; it can also contribute to complete loss of reef systems. This has further implications for human beings because reefs protect the shoreline from erosion during storm surges and cyclones.

One of the places where this is already happening is in the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Australia. While the precise role of ocean acidification has not been clearly defined, researchers found that there was a 14 percent decline in reef size between 1990 and 2005.

Ocean acidification also affects plankton systems, which serve as a food source. Beyond affecting phytoplankton calcification rates, it decreases the nutritional value of phytoplankton as a result of the increased rate of photosynthesis.

In terms of coastal systems, acidification directly impacts the growth and reproduction of organisms, as well as the development of various mollusks. In the case of crustaceans, acidification interferes with the density of their shells, making them less strong. Some experts liken the effects of acidification on their shells to a person developing osteoporosis. Sea urchins, in particular, become vulnerable to sea predators when their shells have grown to be deformed, thinner, and smaller as a result of exposure to high levels of acid in the ocean. Animals without protective shells also are vulnerable to ocean acidification, as it interferes with the development of eggs and larvae.

One of the major impacts resulting from acidification is a decrease in biodiversity. Most microalgae can survive acidification with only 5 percent loss in species diversity, but in tropical and subtropical zones, acidification reduces the thickness of coralline algae, which forms on the surface of rocks. This affects other marine life that settles and grows in the area. The acidification of seawater supporting macrofauna also contributes to a 30 percent decline in biodiversity when the pH levels drop from 8.1 to 7.8.

Ultimately, the waters that support marine life can become toxic as the result of absorbing too much carbon dioxide. This absorption has the potential not only to change marine life but also, in some cases, to decimate the existence of certain species.

Charities Work on Behalf of Children

According to the charitable organization More4Kids, there are approximately 1 million charities registered in the United States. Many of these focus on improving the lives of children. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the Children’s Defense Fund, and UNICEF are some of the more prominent charities in this area. Beyond these well-known organizations, the United States is home to charities with diverse missions, which range from providing for basic needs and helping students with their studies to helping children cope with childhood trauma and medical difficulties.

Two organizations that provide children with apparel and other necessities are Shoes That Fit and My Stuff Bags Foundation. Shoes That Fit supplies children with athletic shoes, with a focus on the 20 percent of children whose families fall below the poverty line. The charity delivers brand-new shoes in the hopes that children will not only remain in school, but also engage in exercise. Since 1992, the charity has donated 2.3 million pairs of shoes; annually, it donates 131,000 pairs to students attending 2,500 schools across the country.

The My Stuff Bags Foundation looks for sponsors to assist children living in extreme situations, such as those involving abandonment, neglect, abuse, homelessness, or foster care. The foundation provides children with a duffel bag containing school supplies, clothing, toiletries, stuffed animals, and toys, in addition to handmade security blankets. The point is to surround the children with items that are comforting, to help them adjust to their new surroundings.

Children Incorporated also assists children in getting necessary items. The organization channels donor funds to provide educational materials, food, clothing, health care support, and school supplies to children living in 21 countries. It also supports fundraising to benefit medical clinics, school expansions, feeding programs, and housing opportunities.

Some charities focus on providing infants in difficult circumstances with essentials. Newborns in Need, for example, gives care packages containing diapers, shampoo, and pajamas to new parents, while Project Linus provides handmade blankets to shelters, hospitals, and other social service locations. Stuffed Animals For Emergencies provides stuffed animals to children who live in war-torn and other crisis environments overseas.

Numerous charities serve children with health issues. Locks of Love provides wigs made of real hair for children suffering from hair loss due to medical conditions such as alopecia and cancer. Canines for Disabled Kids, meanwhile, provides assistance dogs for children with autism, hearing aids for children with hearing impairments, and wheelchairs for children with physical disabilities. Since 1998, Canines for Disabled Kids has placed over 90 service dogs, which provide assistance with daily tasks, help children build confidence, and provide them with companionship.

Other charities support children through arts and education. For example, the International Child Art Foundation focuses on arts education in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1997, approximately 5 million children have participated in its art programs, and 2.5 million people have participated in its festivals and art exhibits.

Another charity, Reach Out and Read, places emphasis on preparing children for school. Through its pediatric care program, family physicians, pediatricians, and nurses provide books and encourage parents to read to their children. The charity also supplies doctor’s offices with reading materials for the waiting room.

JAFCO Children’s Ability Center

Named to the Forbes Best in State Financial Advisors list in 2018, Ralph Byer serves as a managing director and wealth management advisor with Merrill Lynch. In addition to his work with Merrill Lynch, Ralph Byer supports community organizations such as the Jewish Family Adoption and Care Options (JAFCO).

For more than 26 years, JAFCO has provided a number of support services for vulnerable children within the southern Florida Jewish community. At the Children’s Ability Center, for example, JAFCO serves individuals from birth to age 22 who have been diagnosed with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The center’s individualized programming focuses on helping children improve their verbal, cognitive, and motor skills, all with the goal of increasing independence at home, at school, and in the community.

Children’s Ability Center students can cultivate their talents in the art studio, participate in music and drama classes, and visit the fitness gym. Additionally, a respite home with six bedrooms allows children to stay for one night when their parents require respite care. 

BE BOLD Leadership Campaign

Merrill Lynch managing director Ralph Byer is a longtime financial advisor with nearly four decades' experience. In the course of his career at Merrill Lynch, he has served as a qualified portfolio advisor assisting clients in areas of risk management, wealth transfer, philanthropic planning, and retirement income strategies, among others. Outside of his professional pursuits, Ralph Byer supports the Community Foundation of Broward, Florida.

The Community Foundation of Broward assists individuals, families, and businesses in establishing personalized charitable funds that seek to address issues affecting Broward County residents. Its BE BOLD Leadership Campaign offers a unique opportunity for individuals who are passionate about Broward to use their philanthropic efforts to create a brighter future and leave a lasting impact.

BE BOLD aims to nurture innovation, inspire new thinking, and create new leaders. Through the campaign, the Community Foundation seeks to raise $500 million by the time it celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024. Once complete, the BE BOLD Leadership Campaign will offer close to $3 million in grants every month to help tackle critical issues facing the county. In addition, the campaign will support $1 billion in philanthropy to help the foundation over the next three decades and ensure the availability of permanent resources to tackle emerging community challenges.