« September 2009 Table of Contents 
Editor's Note: The other carbon problem
By Fiona Robinson, Editor in Chief
September 01, 2009
Anyone who thinks warding off global warming means running
out and buying a Toyota Prius needs to think again. Burning
fossil fuels for industrial manufacturing, including food and
affiliated packaging companies, increases carbon dioxide
emissions that contribute to global warming, according to
myriad scientific models. Changing weather patterns, rising sea
levels and melting polar ice caps are obvious signs of global
warming. A more subtle result of increased CO 2 emissions that
is gaining attention lately is that of ocean acidification.
Associate Editor James Wright gives readers insight into the
scientific opinions behind the topic and what it could mean for
not just shellfish supplies, but the entire marine ecosystem,
in this issue's Top Story, Looking down the line (p. 18).
The discussions about ocean acidification are gaining
strength, much like the groundswell about sustainability did
several years ago. A handful of documentaries on the topic have
already been produced, including "A Sea Change" and "Acid Test:
The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification." While the
scientists and seafood suppliers Wright interviewed for the Top
Story have varying opinions on the rate and scope of change
that acidification will bring, no one is denying it will
happen.
The question now is what can you do about carbon emissions?
First, research your company's CO 2 emissions or hire a
consultant to do it for you. While the majority of carbon
emissions in the United States results from utilities, food and
beverage companies - including seafood processors - bear some
responsibility because they use utilities to run their
operations. The Obama administration plans to introduce a
cap-and-trade emissions program that would apply a cost to more
than 85 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United
States. Emissions trading will create a cost for greenhouse
gases emitted by companies covered by the program. How will
this affect your company?
Second, I challenge readers to get involved in the
discussion. The future of all ocean life depends on how fast we
react now, not 50 years from now. Attaining sustainable fishing
methods becomes moot when the species we intend to protect
begin to starve due to ocean acidification.