Corals In Peril

"Nearly one-fifth of the world’s coral reefs have already succumbed to the combined onslaught of global warming

, water pollution

, and overfishing. Without immediate measures to mitigate climate change and reduce the local pressures on reefs, the world is set to lose another 15% of coral reefs over the next 10−20 years and 20% over 20−40 years. Those are the main conclusions of a new report, produced jointly by a handful of government agencies and nongovernmental organizations from around the world, including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

However, not all coral reefs are doomed. The 372 coral reef scientists and managers from 96 countries who contributed to the report also conclude that 46% of the world’s coral reefs are beyond the reach of most threats, with the exception of climate change.

This past year, 2008, was the International Year of the Reef. The review is the latest in a series of scientific papers and agency reports that have documented the sad plight of corals in the past year."

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Environmental News Network