Ways To Reduce Ocean acidification is driven by excess global carbon dioxide and water pollution from land runoff, and there are ways communities can help. How Individuals and Communities Can Help Reduce Ocean Acidification Taking action to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus entering the coastal zone from fertilizers and other runoff can significantly reduce coastal, estuarine, and ocean acidification. Reducing these chemical components helps control the excessive growth of plant material that can lead to low oxygen conditions that decrease the pH of the water, which often lead to fish kills, ensuring a robust coastal ecosystem to support humans and animals.