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Global Warming Will Lead to Extinction Coral Reef

On several occasions we have published in this space briefing notes regarding the consequences of climate change at the environmental, social and economic and is appropriate to address the negative consequences that have increased CO2 on coral reefs. Coral reefs are marine ecosystems associated with a great diversity of species that depend for their stay very particular conditions of salinity, temperature and ocean depth. There is evidence that small variations in conditions, eg acidity decreases the absorption of calcium carbonate, which directly affects the growth of coral.

global warming is changing the physical conditions of the oceans, and one of the most vulnerable ecosystems, is undoubtedly the coral reefs. Experts in the field, they call upon the international community to inform and raise awareness of the need to curb the amount of C02 is emitted into the atmosphere, thereby preventing the extinction of one of the most imporant marine ecosystems. The predictions are that if CO2 emissions continue to increase at current rates, the reefs will be extinct by the end of this century!

Below you will read the note referring to this item:

scientists foresee death of coral reefs around the world to
century Note: Reuters, 07/07/2009

Oceans increasingly acidic and warm due to carbon dioxide emissions could kill coral reefs worldwide by the end of the century, several scientists warned. Experts said at a meeting in London that the emission rate is projected that by 2050 it will have achieved a level of 450 parts per million of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, which would to corals in the way of extinction for decades.

More than a dozen specialists in coral reefs and climate change gathered on behalf of several universities, government research agencies and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. "The kitchen is on fire and the fire is spreading through the house," he said in a statement Alex Rogers of the Zoological Society of London and the International Programme on the Ocean State. "If we act quickly and decisively we may be able to turn it off before the damage becomes irreversible." afirmó.El ocean absorbs large amounts of CO2 emitted by the burning of fossil fuels. But scientists say the oceans are becoming more acidic as they absorb carbon, which disrupts the process of calcification by which sea creatures build shells and coral reefs. Researchers around the world have been urging governments to take into account the threats to the ocean in the new treaty on combating climate change, which plans approved in December in Copenhagen.

coral reefs are delicate undersea structures resembling rocky gardens built by tiny animals called polyps, and act as important refuges and nursery areas for fish and other marine species. They also protect shorelines, provide a crucial source of food for millions of people, attract tourists and are a potential storehouse of medicines for cancer and other diseases.

"If you allow the CO2 reaches 450 parts per million, and now the target is more optimistic than might be acceptable in Copenhagen, we will put the world's coral reefs on the way to a great degradation and ultimately extinction, "he told the conference John Veron, former chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science" A catastrophe such as a large threat to the future welfare of humanity, "he said. Would be an acceptable target Governments agreed to a ceiling of 320 parts per million of carbon dioxide, according to scientists, who felt that 360 would mark the limit of survival of the reefs.