Coral reefs fight back against bleaching

The global warming that is changing the environment and weather has not dampened the spirits of the coral reefs. Around 24 percent of the coral reefs in the world are at risk of being annihilated by human activities, according to the Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2004, but many of these reefs are showing immense strength fighting negative effects of global warming.

Corals are the limestone fossil skeletons of tiny animals called polyps. These groups of fossils become home to thousands of marine animals.

Humans have caused destruction of the reefs by fishing, polluting, developing costal areas, diseases and by causing global warming, which also threatens the reefs. Coral bleaching is the newest threat to coral reefs. Bleaching is when ocean temperatures rise suddenly, like from global warming, and wipe out masses of corals at once.

There was a major bleaching of corals in 1998, and surprisingly almost half of the damaged corals are recovering. And good for them, because with all the destruction that people have caused, it is refreshing to hear that some of that is being fought by nature.

Scientists have predicted that every 50 years will bring another major bleaching, caused by global warming. It is because of burning fossil fuels that this disastrous event is scheduled to happen often in the future. By cutting down our fossil fuel emissions, we can help lessen the coral bleaching that occurs.

As the cause of the destruction, we should counter it by limiting our fossil fuel output and not littering in the oceans. Oceans are connected, and what is littered in the Pacific may wash up on a shore in a far away nation, killing fish along the way. Pollution hurts us as well, contaminating the oceans we swim in and the food that we eat.

It used to be that eating fish was healthier than eating land animals, but with all the contamination in the water, eating fish simply transfers the toxins into our own bodies.

Restricting over-fishing will also help. The food chain is a good example of how everything is interconnected; we need to understand that all of our actions have consequences, and no matter how small the consequence, it makes a difference in a life somewhere.