The United Nations has called for urgent action to protect coral reefs, as new research indicates that 77% are affected by bleaching due to climate change. In light of the fourth mass bleaching event, participating nations pledged $30 million to support the U.N. coral fund, aiming to mobilize $3 billion by 2030. With coral reefs critical to marine biodiversity and human livelihoods, world leaders are being urged to enhance their commitments ahead of a 2024 U.N. ocean conference in France.
The United Nations, alongside scientists and government representatives, recently convened an emergency session to address the alarming status of coral reefs, which are now facing unprecedented threats of extinction. This session took place during the ongoing U.N. biodiversity summit, known as COP16, in Cali, Colombia. A staggering 77% of the world’s coral reefs are currently affected by bleaching, a phenomenon primarily driven by warming ocean waters that stem from human-induced climate change. This year marks the fourth recorded mass global bleaching event, impacting reefs across both hemispheres. Coral reefs serve as essential ecosystems that support over 25% of marine biodiversity and provide vital resources for nearly one billion people around the globe. Many communities depend on these reefs for food security, coastal protection, and their livelihoods. In light of these developments, nations such as New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France pledged approximately $30 million to the U.N. fund dedicated to coral reef conservation, which was established in 2020. The fund aims to mobilize up to $3 billion in financial support for reef protection efforts by the year 2030; currently, it has raised about $225 million. Mary Creagh, the U.K. Minister for Nature, emphasized the critical importance of oceanic habitats, stating that “protecting our ocean and its precious habitats is fundamental to life on earth. But without urgent action, the world’s coral reefs face extinction from global heating, acidification, disease, and pollution; a vital ecosystem lost within our lifetime.” The call for action is particularly urgent as a U.N. conference focused on oceanic concerns is scheduled for next year in Nice, France. Countries are encouraged to contribute to the U.N. global fund for coral reefs, with a target of raising an additional $150 million ahead of the conference. Peter Thomson, the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, warned that climate change continues to exacerbate the coral bleaching crisis, remarking that in 2024, “climate change and other human impacts triggered the fourth mass coral reef bleaching event, the most extensive and devastating on record. With the window to protect these ecosystems closing rapidly, world leaders must act now.” The impact of temperature fluctuations causes coral to expel the algae that provide it with essential nutrients, leading to bleaching and stress. These environmental shifts, exacerbated by pollution, low tides, and excessive sunlight, are contributing to the ongoing crisis affecting coral reefs worldwide. In Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef ecosystem on the planet, an alarming 90% of the assessed coral experienced bleaching in 2022, while significant bleaching was also recorded in Florida’s coral reef system, the third largest globally. David Obura, a respected Kenyan marine ecologist, highlighted that the frequency and duration of these bleaching events are worrying, noting that they last longer than one year. “They’re lasting more than one year at a time, which is worrying,” stated Obura during the U.N. emergency session at COP16.
The alarming phenomenon of mass coral bleaching is primarily a direct consequence of climate change, which is leading to rising ocean temperatures. Coral reefs are critical ecosystems, serving as a habitat for diverse marine species and a source of sustenance for millions of coastal communities worldwide. Events of mass coral bleaching have been recorded since 1998, with each subsequent event becoming increasingly severe, highlighting the urgent need for concerted global efforts to protect these ecosystems and address the underlying causes of climate change.
In conclusion, the emergency session convened by the United Nations underscores the urgent need for increased funding and action to protect coral reefs, which are facing an unprecedented crisis due to climate change. With significant financial pledges made by various nations and an upcoming U.N. ocean conference, the global community has a crucial opportunity to ensure the conservation of these vital ecosystems. The collective responsibility of humanity is clear: immediate and effective action is essential to secure a sustainable future for coral reefs and the countless lives that rely on their health and abundance.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
