Coral Reef Destruction By: Mrs. Winiarski, Mrs. Wilda, Mrs. Rahman, Mr. Chokshi, Mr. Ziemer, and Mr. Hartman Thesis: Coral reef destruction has become a serious geographic problem due to natural and manmade causes, but can be solved by adapting to and mitigating these reasons.

Background Coral reefs are formed when the coral species grows and leaves behind its skeleton, which is made out of calcium carbonate (Impacts, 2013). They are known as the “rainforests of the sea” because they support so much diverse life (Impacts, 2013). If coral is sick or dead, it will become white and brittle (Saving, 2006).

Problem “Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has lost more than ½ of its coral since 1985” (Eilperin, 2012). “About 1/3 of coral species are facing extinction” (Impacts, 2013). This is a worldwide problem from the Caribbean to Indonesia and Australia.

Causes 48%: Storm Damage; 42%: Starfish; 10% Coral Bleaching (Eilperin, 2012). Other issues include dumping sewage and industrial runoff into the ocean and divers, snorkelers, pachers, and fishing boats breaking off coral on purpose of by accident. (Impacts, 2013). Even though some issues are “natural” like storms and starfish, they are made worse by humans through global warming so it is definitely our fault this is happening.

Solutions Adapt- meaning make changes for the world we live in now… like reef restoration, reducing overfishing, and establishing marine protected areas (Impacts, 2013). Mitigate- meaning change our broader human footprint to stop global warming… like lowering carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency (Impacts, 2013). Deal with controllable issues first, like starfish, then go for longer-term problems.

Do Something Today The government should… – Establish more MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) – Fund research that looks into coral predators like the crown-of-thorn starfish – Switch government buildings and vehicles to earth-friendly options like solar panel energy and electric cars – Put more coral on endangered species lists You should… – Never pick at or break off a piece of coral for a souvenir – Be careful of where you get aquarium coral from- sometimes they are illegally farmed from protected areas – Do what you can to lessen or offset your carbon footprint – Be aware of coral loss- the biggest problem is that people don’t know about the problem

Conclusion Coral loss is a serious problem caused by natural and human processes, but can potentially be solved by adapting to and mitigating these causes. Coral reefs are a forgotten issue that must be addressed before ecosystems are destroyed. These are real solutions for both the short and long term that truly can make a difference.

Works Cited Eilperin, Juliet. "Dramatic Coral Loss on Great Barrier Reef." The Washington Post. Oct. 2, 2012: A3. Proquest. Web. 9 Dec *Cited as (Eilperin, 2012) “Impacts of climate change on coral reefs and the marine environment.” UN Chronicle. April, 2013: no page. Gale Student Resources in Context. Web. 9 Dec *Cited as (Impacts, 2013) "Saving coral reefs." International Herald Tribune. June 6, 2006: 6. Gale Global Issues In Context. Gale. Web. 9 Dec *Cited as (Saving, 2006)