Pacific coral reefs keep islanders
protected from storm waves, provide shelter to many different species of fish
and coral, and sustain the carbon dioxide level in the water. Without these
barrier reefs, every living thing would be affected on earth whether through a
loss of food supply or because of a risen carbon dioxide level. With the sea
level rising, the dangers of the Pacific coral reefs have been put into
question. Recent studies provide evidence that well-maintained reefs will be
able to keep up with the rising sea level if the carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere stays below 670 ppm. The level of carbon dioxide today is 400 ppm,
so 670 ppm could easily be reached within the next 100 years.
If the Earth loses its coral reefs,
not only islanders will be affected by the extinction. Barrier reefs provide food
such as reef fish and mollusks, beautiful pets, and essentially jobs and food
for many humans. Not only would the fish become homeless, but the world would
lose a strong economic and environmental source. Reefs have the potential to
keep up with the rising sea level only if humans reduce emissions of greenhouse
gases. By reducing, reusing, recycling, buying energy efficient products, and
even planting a tree, would not only save hundreds of coral reefs but also the future of this world.
This is a pressing issue; many people should
become more aware of the greenhouse gases they are emitting and what these
emissions are doing to the environment. However, many humans choose to continue
down destructive paths whether through lack of education or just the simple attitude
of entitlement. Without proper care of the environment, scuba diving and
snorkeling will become a thing of the past; more importantly, this rising sea
level phenomenon will threaten every person on Earth.
This is an environmental issue that is so devastating to hear about. People often don't think about their impact on the aquatic world- out of sight, out of mind. Lots of fish not only depend on the coral reefs as a home, but it acts as their entire ecosystem. One major source of turmoil for the coral reefs is the increased frequency of Pacific cyclones due to global warming, which is destroying the reefs to bits. Starfish that are eating the coral reef are also growing in size every year, feeding from the runoff of agricultural land. I agree that there are many ways to go about solving this issue, and hopefully conditions will improve, but sadly people’s sense of entitlement to this planet is a major barrier to all solutions. However, the damage done so far to the Pacific Ocean reefs is not completely irreversible, and hopefully there are still people who will act on it.
ReplyDeleteSource: http://www.livescience.com/23612-great-barrier-reef-steep-decline.html
Chain Reaction
ReplyDeleteI agree that if we lose the Pacific coral reefs, mankind will witness a massive domino effect in the ocean ecosystem. By obliterating the habitats of oceanic vegetation and small, aquatic primary consumers, man will essentially burden larger animals higher in the food chain and observe a decline in their populations, as well.