CORAL REEFS AND THEIR ECOSYSTEMS IN DANGER

Climate change has been the emphasis of talk among environmentalists and concerned citizens for the past 30 years or so.

Climate change and global warming go hand-in-hand, and put many species and ecosystems on our planet at risk. Climate change happens when primarily CO2 levels in the air get to a concerning amount, but this can also include other greenhouse gasses.

This has made our planet a lot warmer, changing the climate of many areas around the world. This sudden increase in temperature is slowly killing a variety of species and ecosystems that can’t adapt to the sudden warmth quickly enough. And among the ecosystems that are in danger currently are the many coral reefs in our oceans.

Coral reefs are often described as an ocean rainforest, since they house so many different organisms that all work together to keep their homes alive. They all are currently in danger because of the increased temperature of the waters that they inhabit. This not only puts the coral (made up of many small, individual living organisms) itself at risk, but the many creatures that inhabit the coral reefs. If something doesn’t change, there could be dozens of underwater life species that will become extinct.

 With the danger causing more action to protect reefs, there also have been bans on destructive fishing methods such as “blast fishing” – using explosives to stun fish.

Coral reefs have been dying at increasing rates for several years now. Along with the loss of the Great Barrier Reef off the Australia coast, we have lost approximately 50% of the Earth’s coral reefs and it is estimated that we will lose 90% of our reefs within the next century unless we make serious changes.

The main reason why ocean temperatures are rising is due to the massive amounts of fossil fuels being burned around the world. And the United States holds the title of burning the most fossil fuels, meaning the U.S. is producing most of the CO2 that is currently in our air. This has caused global warming and climate change around the world.

America has been trying to lessen this by reducing the amount of plastic we use (and the pollution caused by making plastic in the first place) by making us use paper straws, rather than plastic ones, and these new canvas or paper shopping bags, instead of plastic bags. Even fast food chains now make customers ask for straws, instead of handing them out without any concerns.

Citizens often complain about these changes we are making as a people, but they don’t look at the bigger picture: The need to reduce the amounts of plastic waste being produced and let out into the ocean. Coral reefs are in danger and if this continues, so is the rest of ocean life. More and more aquatic animals will find their way onto the endangered species list.

Besides the harm to ocean dwellers, loss of reefs will cause an economic decline for businesses that rely on them. Many oceanside tourist spots make money by taking people to see the beautiful sights that the reefs provide. If we don’t do something now, future generations will never get to experience the beauties of our oceans as we know them.

America has taken its steps to lower the amounts of fossil fuels we are burning, but it’s going to take the entire planet to help us keep the Earth clean and alive. Every action can make a difference, no matter how small.

Taking this problem one step at a time is the best way to approach this global warming epidemic, instead of ignoring the problem until it’s too late to stop.