Ocean acidification is a process that occurs when the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This CO2 comes from various sources, including the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. When the ocean takes in this gas, it reacts with seawater to form carbonic acid, which lowers the pH of the water, making it more acidic. This increase in acidity can harm marine life, particularly organisms like coral reefs, shellfish, and plankton that rely on calcium carbonate to build their shells and skeletons. As the water becomes more acidic, these creatures struggle to survive, which can disrupt entire ecosystems and impact the fishing industry and global food supply.