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GLOBAL WARMING


Fast facts

The impact of global warming on coral reefs seems most apparent in the recent worldwide outbreak of coral bleaching. Overheating ocean waters, as a result of global warming, can lead to bleaching, which is a breakdown of the complex biological systems that corals have evolved in order to survive.


By keeping coral reefs healthy we can expect to benefit, in the future, from the medical properties of chemical compounds found in coral reef species. For example, important anti-viral agents have been found in sponges growing on reefs.

 



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SOLUTIONS

The concerted international action needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming has not yet been forthcoming. Years of international negotiations and the signing of a U.N. Climate Treaty in 1992 have not yet delivered the necessary ch anges. WWF believes that developed country governments - including the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the European Union-should commit to at least a 20 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2005.

Emission reductions can be made economically through increased energy efficiency measures in industry, the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power, and the marketing of more energy efficient home appliances for consumers. Indeed, everyone can make a contribution by pledging to reduce their own energy, perhaps by switching off unwanted lights, buying energy efficient home appliances, or more often using public transport instead of a car.

Coral reefs are declining worldwide because of damage by humans. Climate change will certainly speed this demise for the most endangered and vulnerable reefs. These natural treasures; places such as the Bahamas, Haiti, Thailand, Jamaica, Florida, and Colombia, may be among the most vulnerable to global warming.

For coral reefs, climate change may just turn out to be the straw that breaks the camel's back, leading to the permanent loss of some of the world's most wonderful underwater natural ecosystems.

This issue summary is based on a report written for WWF by David Hopley-formerly Director, Sir George Fisher Centre, James Cook University of North Queensland

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