When I was a child, my family would pull me down the beach in a little red wagon, wrapped in a sleeping bag to keep me warm. Even from this young age, sand in between my toes and cool water rushing against my ankles has always been an unbeatable feeling. Just like Jamie Hale, my love for the coast started as a baby, and I hope to give similar memories to future generations. However, changing ocean environments put that hope at risk: What will ocean memories be like in the future?
The impacts of climate change are causing the ocean to become more acidic. As humans release more carbon into the atmosphere, ocean pH levels drop and drastically change these ecosystems. Corals in Oregon’s rocky reefs, such as Cape Blanco, and shelled creatures in deep sea canyons, such as Astoria Canyon, rely on a stable pH to form their shells and structure. The foundation of a healthy ocean is at risk, and we must act soon to avoid irreparable damage.