Letter to the Editor: Climate change will affect agriculture in Montana

Editor:

Climate change is harming Washington’s shellfish industry. According to its Department of Health: “As CO2 reacts with seawater, it lowers pH and reduces the concentration of carbonate ions … .”

Shellfish are less likely to form shells in an acidic environment. That endangers this valuable high-protein, low-fat food source. Evidence of ocean acidification in the Pacific Northwest is compelling. Some can be found online at http://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/ClimateandHealth/Shellfish.

Also, harmful algal blooms usually increase during warmer months. These blooms...