Coral condemned to extinction by CO2 levels, warns Attenborough #environment #coral #marine life
Coral is the canary in the cage as damage can be seen most quickly, veteran naturalist tells Royal Society
David Attenborough joined scientists yesterday to warn that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is already above the level which condemns coral reefs to extinction in the future, with catastrophic effects for the oceans and the people who depend upon them.
Coral reefs support a quarter of all marine life including more than 4,000 species of fish. They also provide spawning, nursery, refuge and feeding areas for creatures such as lobsters, crabs, starfish and sea turtles. This makes them crucial in supporting a healthy marine ecosystem upon which more than 1bn people depend for food. Reefs also play a crucial role as natural breakwaters, protecting coastlines from storms.
Attenborough said the world had a “moral responsibility” to save corals.
Read more at www.guardian.co.uk
simon eaton says:
No Commentary
