coral reefs
Domino-Effect of Climate Events Could Move Earth into a ‘Hothouse’ State
A domino-like cascade of melting ice, warming seas, shifting currents and dying forests could tilt the Earth into a “hothouse” state beyond which human efforts to reduce emissions will be increasingly futile, a group of leading climate scientists has warned.…
Coral Reefs ‘Will Be Overwhelmed by Rising Oceans’
Scientists have uncovered a new threat to the world’s endangered coral reefs. They have found that most are incapable of growing quickly enough to compensate for rising sea levels triggered by global warming. The study suggests that reefs – which…
Climate Change Threatens Kelp Forests With Invasions of Weeds
The devastating consequences climate change is already having on coral reefs is well known, but now scientists have discovered that yet another unique marine ecosystem is threatened by rising carbon dioxide levels. A paper published in Ecology this month based…
Hawaii Becomes First US State to Ban Sunscreens Harmful to Coral Reefs
Coral reefs and sunshine keep tourists flocking to Hawaii but add sunscreen to that holiday mix and the result can be serious damage to the marine environment that makes the islands so attractive to visitors in the first place. This…
World’s Coral Reefs Reaching The Point Of No Return
The vast majority of the world’s coral reefs are now reaching the point of no return — the point at which it wouldn’t even theoretically be possible to save them from disappearing completely (some argue that this point has long…
Trump Plan to Reduce Marine Monuments Could Put Vital Ecosystems at Risk
A report from United States Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke recommends shrinking three ocean monuments and opening them up to commercial fishing. The monuments, two in the Pacific Ocean and one in the Atlantic Ocean, are undersea treasures according…
Coral Reefs Show Signs Of Both Climate Stress & Resilience
Coral reefs are home to a vast array of ocean creatures. They provide food, protection against storm damage, sustain tourism and inspire wonder. “If we lose corals, we lose a vital piece of our planet,” said Kiho Kim. Kim, a…