SMEA Director and Professor Terrie Klinger and her colleagues on the West Coast Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH) Science Panel released a comprehensive report April 4 that states ocean acidification and the related problem of hypoxia, or low oxygen levels under water, “will have severe environmental, ecological and economic consequences for the West Coast”. As reported on KUOW, the panel called for reducing pollutants that drain into water bodies like Puget Sound from surrounding cities and farms. The scientists also recommended restoring underwater vegetation that removes carbon dioxide from seawater. In response to the panel’s report, Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued a statement saying he’s ready to take action with the other West Coast states to tackle ocean acidification.