Eggsperiment - What does Ocean Acidification mean?

• White Vinegar

• A glass container

• 1 egg

The Eggsperiment shows the effects of acidic water on shells. An egg shell is made of the same material as a snail’s shell.

Animals that have shells or live in shells--like clams, oysters, crabs, lobsters, urchins, or snails suffer directly from Climate Change.

Human activities such as manufacturing, transportation, cooking on open fireplaces, and raising cattle release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which cause climate change. A lot of those greenhouse gases are absorbed by the oceans. For years experts considered that a good thing because it seemed to slow down the process of climate change. However, new studies show that greenhouse gases in the oceans turn the water acidic--sort of like if you’d pour vinegar or lemon juice into the sea.

If these animals can’t survive because their shells are dissolved in the acidic water, the animals that feed of off shell creatures can’t survive either. Then the entire ecosystem gets out of balance. Coral is also at risk, and with it the entire biodiversity around coral reefs.

Video: Alliance for Climate Education www.acespace.org

• Spread the word about climate change and how people and governments can help make a difference by releasing fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

• Help fight Climate Change by saving energy or eating less meat.

• Support organizations like Pristine Seas, WWF's 'Choose Wisely' Programme, Oceana, The Ocean Conservancy, 350.org, Environmental Defense Fund or Sierra Club Foundation

• Watch documentaries about ocean conservation with your friends and family, like: A Plastic Ocean (2016)  or Chasing Coral (2017)