According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are some big concerns and facts about coral bleaching that everyone should know. Coral bleaching is when the temperatures get too hot, and the coral expels the algae it needs to survive. This process causes the coral to become white. In 2019, a major coral bleaching event happened in Hawaii. It was caused by high temperatures and high records of human waste. If coral reefs disappear, 25% of marine life will lose its habitat, which is over one million species. Coral reefs support lots of marine life. This means that if the coral reefs collapse, animals and humans will be affected. Once coral reefs are destroyed, they can’t be remade. Coral reefs are part of the food chain, so if they disappeared, then the food chain would collapse, meaning that some people would have less food. The corals are natural barriers, so without them, people will need to build manmade seawalls, which would be expensive. People would also visit coral reefs less if they bleached, which would affect many jobs. It’s important to understand research to help prevent future bleaching. If coral reefs get destroyed, it is rare they come back, and many people and animals will be affected.
There are five ways to help prevent coral bleaching, according to coral.org. By cutting down on energy consumption, using public transport, and supporting renewable energy sources, you contribute to mitigating climate change, which is a significant factor in coral bleaching. These things help reduce how much energy we use by using public transportation, using eco-friendly items, cleaning up local parks and beaches, sharing the news, and being aware of government laws. We can reduce our carbon footprint, choose sustainable options, support marine conservation efforts, spread awareness, and advocate for new policies.
In conclusion, if coral reefs disappear, many people and 25% of the marine species will be affected, but there are many ways to help prevent coral reefs from bleaching.