Guy Courtney (All at Sea) addresses the importance of coral reefs and the nefarious impact of global warming.
The ocean holds a secret. Coral, often unnoticed, is as vital as the air we breathe. Every other breath comes from the ocean, and coral plays a central role in sustaining that life. Though often mistaken for plants, coral is a living animal — one that feeds over a billion people, supports shorelines, and creates ecosystems for thousands of marine species.
Despite covering less than 0.1% of the ocean floor, coral reefs are home to 25% of all ocean life. Over 4,000 species of fish rely on these underwater cities, making coral one of the most essential ecosystems on Earth. Without coral, the oceans — and much of human life — would collapse.
Coral Bleaching: A Crisis in Motion
Coral reefs are under siege. Rising ocean temperatures and acidification, fueled by climate change and fossil fuel emissions, are killing coral at unprecedented rates. Bleaching occurs when corals expel the algae that give them color and nutrients, leaving behind ghostly skeletons. The once-vibrant reefs become barren graveyards.
The scale is staggering: nearly 900 miles of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are dead, and Florida’s entire 305-mile reef system has perished. Imagine a highway where every traveler dies — we would act immediately. Yet for coral reefs, action is slow.
The Importance of Coral Reefs
Corals are more than scenery for divers. They:
- Protect coastlines from erosion and storms.
- Provide food and livelihoods for millions.
- Generate billions in global tourism.
- Hold potential for life-saving medicines.
They are “the rainforests of the sea,” yet we pay more attention to space exploration than to saving them. [. . .]
For full article, see https://www.allatsea.net/coral-reefs-and-climate-change-why-protecting-coral-is-vital-to-planet-ocean/?mc_cid=208278fc75&mc_eid=3b4b4759c5
[Photo above by Karl Callwood-St. Thomas, Virgin Islands-unsplash.]
Guy Courtney (All at Sea) addresses the importance of coral reefs and the nefarious impact of global warming. The ocean holds a secret. Coral, often unnoticed, is as vital as the air we breathe. Every other breath comes from the ocean, and coral plays a central role in sustaining that life. Though often mistaken for