Though coral reefs cover just one percent of the earth’s surface, 25 percent of marine fish species call the reefs home. In fact, coral reefs are the largest living structure on the planet! At this rate, though, they won’t hold that distinction for long.
Algae give coral its color – inside and out – but the warmer it gets, the harder it is for this algae to survive. Even a difference of 1 degree can mean the difference between its life and death. With this algae gone, the coral turns white, known as “coral bleaching.” Then a different species of algae moves in, covering the coral and blocking out the sun. When that happens, the coral ultimately dies.
Of course, it’s not just global warming killing off coral reefs. Runoff from polluted rivers making its way to the oceans is also a big threat – specifically chemical fertilizers and pesticides that people like you and me use in our own backyards.
Already we’ve lost 10 percent of our coral reefs. And at this rate, 70 percent will be gone by 2050. The time to act is now.
This is the International Year of the Reef, “a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the value and importance of coral reefs and threats to their sustainability, and to motivate people to take action to protect them.”
You can help by save coral reefs by:
- Educating yourself and others about coral reefs
- Making a giftto the International Year of the Reef
- Choosing earth-friendly fertilizers, pesticides and other household products from Planet Garden: Good Stuff For Your World
Make a difference today!
Source: BecauseAction.com
