The world’s oceans are a natural sponge, absorbing much of what we put into the atmosphere. That includes nearly a third of our CO2 emissions, causing seawater to become more acidic than at any other point in human history. Ocean acidification is not just jeopardising the world’s coral reefs; one in three of us depend on marine life as our primary source of protein.

Donations have brought PhD students and post-doctoral fellows to Bristol – people with the talent and ambition to better understand how marine organisms and ecosystems are adapting to falling pH. They are making new discoveries on the dispersal of coral larvae, the stability of reef structures and the impact of past ocean acidification events. The donations have also empowered academic leaders like Professor Daniela Schmidt  to support decision-makers, through the IPCC as well as direct engagement with political leaders.