Because changes in marine ecosystems are not easily
detectable on the ocean surface, there is a lack of focus towards
the oceans’ prominence in climate change policy debates. This
will have far reaching consequences as the acceleration of
ocean warming and acidification will impact coral reef growth,
by contributing to mass coral bleaching leading to die-off
severely hindering calcification of marine organisms in food
chains, and shell-fish harvests. These impacts will
disproportionately affect individuals and societies living in
areas challenged by climate-influenced environments, such as
reefs systems, island or coastal communities at and below sea
level, or ice-dominate coastlines, where populations depend on
the sea for their livelihood (Allison & Bassett, 2015, p. 780).
Reef systems are compromised by increased ocean
acidification impacting various coral species, especially the
structurally complex, hard corals. Cold-water corals, found at
depths from 200-1000 meters are slow growing, with long
lifespans, forming large reef systems that are particularly
vulnerable to the effects of acidification. These corals can live
for many years and can be dated as far back as several
thousand years, such as the black and gold coral from Hawaii,
which is vulnerable to overharvesting and climate change