Feely Testifies before U.S. House June 2008

On June 5, 2008, PMEL scientist Dr. Richard A. Feely testified before the House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment on H.R. 4174, the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act, sponsored by Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME), and the current status of ocean acidification research and monitoring activities.

Dr. Richard Feely, summed up the issue, saying, “Results from laboratory, field and modeling studies, as well as evidence from the geological record, clearly indicate that marine ecosystems are highly susceptible to the increases in oceanic CO₂ and the corresponding decreases in pH.” He continued, “Ocean acidification is an emerging scientific issue and much research is needed before all of the ecosystems responses are well understood.”

Other witnesses were Dr. Joan Kleypas, Scientist, Institute for the Study of Society and Environment, National Center for Atmospheric Research; Dr. Scott Doney, Senior Scientist, Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Dr. Ken Caldeira, Scientist, Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science of Washington.; and Mr. Brad Warren, Director, Productive Oceans Partnership Program, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

To watch Dr. Feely's testimony, advance to 23:22 in this video here.

Testimony of Dr. Richard Feely