Continuing to Lead: Washington State's Efforts to Address Ocean Acidification

• Main Author: Carr, Amanda M.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: UW Law Digital Commons 2016
• Subjects: Environmental Law; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/wjelp/vol6/iss2/11; https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1063&context=wjelp

The world’s oceans have become approximately thirty percent more acidic since the Industrial Revolution and are currently acidifying at a rate ten times faster than anything the earth has experienced over the last fifty million years. Washington State is undertaking a groundbreaking effort to address ocean acidification, a global issue that has serious implications for the world’s oceans, marine ecosystems, and the individuals and communities that depend upon the services that they provide. These localized actions, in isolation, will be insufficient to effectively combat and adapt to the acidification of marine waters. While acknowledging this generally accepted premise, Washington has nonetheless determined to become a leader in responding to ocean acidification. This article is an update of the 2013 article We Can Lead: Washington State’s Efforts to Address Ocean Acidification. Both articles discuss Washington State’s reasons for taking action on ocean acidification and the far-reaching influence of those actions, and examines the successes and challenges of, and lessons that can be learned from, Washington’s ongoing response.