Global Warming is Killing the World’s Coral Reefs

“The heat affects the tiny algae which live symbiotically inside the corals and supply them with food. The heat stress damages the algae and in consequence leads to coral death.”

(Source: World Wildlife Fund)

Coral reefs have been labelled the

‘rainforests of the sea’ because of their wonderfully rich biodiversity and the amazing range of creatures living in these very special and unique environments. The Florida Keys between Key Biscayne and Dry Tortugas is home to around 6,000 coral reefs, which is believed to be the third largest coral reef system found in the world.

 

Reefbase, a global information system for coral reefs, says that coral bleaching can be caused by stressful environmental conditions such as extreme temperature, low salinity, extreme light and various toxins. More recently warming ocean temperatures are presenting a big problem for coral reefs because these fragile ecosystems can really only cope with small changes in temperature.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says that when oceans warm, the content of oxygen in the water drops and the reefs are effectively bleached: “The heat affects the tiny algae which live symbiotically inside the corals and supply them with food. The heat stress damages the algae and in consequence leads to coral death.” The U.S. National Wildlife Federation says that in one year alone, 16 percent of the world's coral reefs were wiped out and that “a sea temperature change of a mere one degree Celsius would yield similar losses.”

Ocean acidification is also a major threat to coral reefs. As a result of climate change the world’s oceans are becoming more acidic which means the growth of coral reefs slows down as the coral is unable to form skeletons through calcification.

 

 

“a sea temperature change of a mere one degree Celsius would yield similar losses.”

(Source: World Wildlife Fund)

 

Seascapes from Reef Relief on Vimeo.

The only real way to stop the coral reefs being killed by climate change is to stop the Earth’s temperature from rising less than 2°C. There are ways you can keep the world’s coral reefs from becoming damaged, including:

 

 

Volunteer with organizations that are helping to clean up waterways which will ultimately benefit the coral reefs.

Conserve your energy use.

Do not buy real coral products.

Minimize your pollution and carbon dioxide emissions as much as possible.

Use less power in your home and office through turning off the lights when you don’t need them, insulate your home well and use energy-efficient appliances.

Lesson your use of plastics.

Please learn more about global warming, and the decline of the forests. Teach your children and others about the importance of reducing waste, pollution and greenhouse gases.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read about Coral Reefs.

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Lucy Brake: Writer & Editor

Sharon Haddox: Writer, Editor & Designer
SeaGreenNews.com
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