Oceans have turned acidic after absorbing about a quarter of all Carbon dioxide emitted by humans each year to become a major threat to marine life.
Amid hot debates in Copenhagen on climate change, a major new UN study showed how quickly the oceans are absorbing Carbon dioxide at such a rate that their acidity could increase 150% by 2050.
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) released its latest report to warn the world about the depth of climate change. Scientists believe acidification provides a powerful incentive to cut Carbon emissions.
Oceans are soaking up about a quarter of all atmospheric Carbon dioxide and making the water so acidic it could start dissolving some cold water corals, the CBD report said.
The big change in ocean chemistry is 100 times more than at any time in the last 20 million years. It could cause irreversible damage and highlights the direct link between climate change and the health of the oceans, said the study.
Experts believe such chemical change has placed unprecedented pressure on marine life and could threaten human food supply.
The UN summit in Copenhagen, which started a week ago, is scheduled to conclude on Friday, when more than 100 world leaders will attend in an effort to agree a new global treaty on climate change.
