Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
Ocean Damages Raise Carbon Costs
Coverage from Impakter, Yale Climate Connections, and others
Articles
4
Latest Article
03/13
Active Days
1689
Executive Summary
Studies say ocean warming and acidification from fossil fuels nearly double carbon damage estimates by adding reef, fishery and coastal protection losses
- Ocean warming and acidification are adding major damages to the social cost of carbon
- Researchers say ocean impacts nearly double carbon cost estimates when included
- Coral reefs, mangroves, fisheries and seaports drive much of the added damage
- Florida reefs provide tourism revenue, flood protection and support tens of thousands of jobs
- Pacific island nations face disproportionate harm from seafood losses and tuna declines
- Seafood depletion can reduce key nutrients and raise health risks in dependent populations
- EPA climate cost estimates remain lower than the new study's ocean-inclusive estimate
Quick Facts
- What: Ocean damages raise the estimated social cost of carbon
- Where: Florida, Pacific island nations and global coastal systems
- Why: Warming and acidifying oceans damage reefs, fisheries and coastal protection
- Who: UC San Diego Scripps researchers and climate economists
- When: Studies published in 2023 and 2026
Coverage Timeline: 1689 Days
Featured Article
Nature Climate Change study, released in 2023, links ocean warming and acidification to higher social cost of carbon in Florida and Pacific island nations.
Additional Articles
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Nature Climate Change researchers report ocean warming and acidification increase the social cost of carbon in the United States in 2026.
Researchers in a global 2026 study find ocean damages double the social cost of carbon.
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Scientists and health specialists warn that warming, acidification and sea-level rise are increasing coastal flooding, displacement and health risks for communities from Alaska to British Columbia in the 2020s.