Earth’s oceans have been rapidly declining in part due to decreasing pH levels—a byproduct of Earth’s rising CO2 emissions. This phenomenon is called ocean acidification, and marine life, ecosystems, and biodiversity are all directly damaged by it. The United Nations Environment Programme—or UNEP—finds that ocean acidification has not only been actively harming many oceanic communities for years, but also has the potential to hurt land-based societies. Humans' abuse of natural resources causes the atmospheric CO2 levels to rise, which directly impacts the ocean, as it soaks up most of humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, about 30% of the carbonic acid released by the burning of fossil fuels and biomass has been absorbed by the ocean. Marine life can not sustain itself from these unnatural changes in the seawater. Specifically corals, shellfish, and plankton, which are the base of all oceanic food webs and coastal economies,  are no longer able to build necessary calcium carbonate structures. This makes it exponentially harder for animals that depend on these reefs to safely grow. Not only does this affect marine life, from the smallest baby minnow to the colossal and endangered blue whale, but also those who depend on the sea for work. The UNEP has been spreading awareness, promoting global collaboration, creating creative strategies, and overall encouraging law makers internationally to make policies that will reduce CO2 emissions. Ocean acidification is an active issue that needs advocates to protect the world’s great reefs, and as such, delegates will be able to discuss the various ways it causes problems globally, as well as how to solve them.