Earth: Sick Corals

Summary

"The Great Barrier Reef's condition is deteriorating
as a result of climate change. say scientific studies."

In “Then and now: Rising temperatures threaten corals” by Mark Kinver (2021), it is reported that high temperature of water is threatening the survival of corals in the ocean. The rising temperature of waters causes coral bleaching; losing their striking colors, they turn very pale and become easily infected. According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), climate change is the main cause of rising water temperature that leads the coral to become sick and lose its main food. The result of lacking the coral-algae symbiosis does not only impact on coral itself, but also on food and shelter for marine life. In addition, a weakness of ridges in reefs cannot be potential barriers to reduce wave energy and protect marine creatures against threats such as the Great Barrier Reef - a world heritage site of Australia.  

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Response

There can be little doubt that climate change has a great impact on our lives - whether, heatwaves, sea levels and more recent impacts like rising water temperature that play a prominent role in many sea lives. This brings several problems to many different marine species.

There are several impacts of global warming on marine creatures. First, coral reefs become bleached as they cannot resist higher temperature. In the past, coral bleaching was not severe and could be recovered, but now warmer water leads coral becomes unhealthy. Coral reefs are zones of biodiversity hotspots providing food and shelter to many sea creatures. The algae produce food for corals and their host and corals are shelters to nurture and protect small marine animals. If corals are damaged, the impact happens to their hosts as well. 

In addition, the damages to coral reefs brings many disadvantages to coastal areas and the ocean. The ridges in reefs, or natural barriers, reduce wave energy and protect the coastal areas and marine animals against threats in the ocean. If the ocean lacks strong ridges in reefs, there is no protection to coastal lines. Another problem is that people will not have chances to see some marine lives in the ocean as they become extinct. This results in lacking a coral diving spot.   

Therefore, perhaps we can say that, in order to lower climate change impacts, people must learn to take responsibility for the environment and need to be educated about impacts of climate change in the ocean. 

Coral bleaching is becoming more frequent and severe.

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Question

Which would be an effective way to protect coral reefs against the rising temperatures of water?

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Reference

• Kinver, Mark. (2021, April 2). Then and now: Rising temperatures threaten corals. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56567237