Disappearance of Coral Reefs due to Global Climate Change - Research Paper Example

Disappearance of coral reefs due to global climate change Introduction In the current world, there are unprecedented sets of problems related to environment that are caused by global climate change. Disappearance of coral reefs is one of the profound environmental problems that have greatly affected sea species across the world. This is because the current climatic change is adversely affecting environment and ecological systems that play a key role of supporting life of animals living in water. Ocean environmental and ecological systems have been affected by depletion of natural resources and destruction of ecology. Poor ecological system in oceans and seas has led to lack of food and other resources that enhance survival of sea animals. This is because global climate change has resulted to the destruction of coral reefs in many of the oceans across the world. In addition, according to new government report on global ecosystem, climate change has also led to acidification of ocean waters. This report points out that current adverse climate change has also endangered water species due to the bleaching of coral reefs caused by rise in water temperatures. This is because climate change has led to the depletion of ozone layer leading to higher temperatures across the globe. Disappearance of coral reefs due to global climate change has, therefore, been regarded as one of the major environmental concerns in the 21st century. Sources of disappearance of coral reefs Global warming has higher devastating effects on coral reefs across the world. According to Science Daily that was released in 2010, large parts of coral reefs in various oceans in the world and the marine life supported by them are almost getting wiped away (Markham, 2009). In addition, reports by international team of researchers on marine ecosystem indicates that global warming has also caused rise in water temperatures killing and bleaching some species of coral. It has also been pointed out that climate change across the world has also caused acidification of ocean waters leading to the disappearance of coral (Markham, 2009). Increase of temperature on the earth has been caused by green house effects. These are gases that are emitted from industries and later forming thick layer in the atmosphere. This layer of gases allows ultra-violet rays of the sun to pass through the earth. However, the layer prevents the same rays from escaping after they are reflected by the earth. This leads to rise in global temperatures which according to scientist, it has currently increased with 1.9 degrees. This has created a devastating long term effect of damaging coral reefs in the oceans. Researchers have indicated that about 7.5 percent of the world’s coral cover has been destroyed by rise in temperature (Howard, 2012). Damage of coral reef has also been affected by ocean acidification that results from global warming. Acidification of ocean is caused by absorption of gases released into the atmosphere from various human activities across the world (Environmental Health Perspectives, 2012). Currently, due to increased industrial revolution, there is higher emission of gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen monoxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. These gases form acids when mixed with water and in some situations form acid rain. According to marine experts, oceans are absorbing about a quarter of the total amount of carbon dioxide released in the atmosphere each year. This leads to formation of carbonic acid increasing the acidity of ocean water. High ocean acidity in turn causes bleaching of coral reefs. Adverse mass of coral reefs have currently experienced bleaching. According to 2009 aerial survey, about 60 percent of the total coral have received bleaching from ocean acidification (United States environmental protection agency, 2012). Human effects on disappearance of coral reefs There are various human effects that facilitate disappearance of coral reefs. Air and water pollutions are some of the human effects that have currently endangered growth of coral reefs. Increase in industrial activities has led to the increase in emission of poisonous gases into the atmosphere causing air pollution (United States environmental protection agency, 2012).These gases form a layer that increases global temperature thus affecting re-establishment of coral reefs. In addition, these gases cause acidification of ocean waters that destroys coral reefs through bleaching. Water pollution, on the other hand, is another human effect that has facilitated disappearance of coral reefs. Use of pesticides, herbicides and other farm chemicals has increased water pollution across the world. Most of these chemicals are washed into oceans affecting the rigidity of reef ecosystem. Moreover, the chemicals are also capable of bleaching coral reefs leading to a devastating impact on marine ecosystems. This is because destruction of coral leads to alteration of food chain in oceans (Environmental Health Perspectives, 2012). Environmental effects of disappearance of coral reefs Disappearance of coral reefs has a great impact in the marine ecosystem. This is because most of sea animals depend on coral for survival. Currently, the destruction of coral in the oceans across the world has caused extinction of various fish species. A survey conducted by marine scientists indicates that around four species of fish are already extinct and about six species are at a very critical low level. According to their report, fish species such as butterfly fish, wrasses fish and damsel fish are currently been extinct. This is because they wholly depend on coral for food and shelter. Due to global warming in the current world that has led to collapsing of coral reefs, they have been exposed to predators and subjected to lack of food (Simpson, Meekan, Martinez, & Lecchini, 2011) Additionally, some species of fish have recorded reduction in their population. This is due to lack of food caused by disappearance of coral reefs. According to scientific research that was conducted in 2009 by the University of Newcastle, it is clear that the diversity of fish species have decreased by over 50 percent due to global warming. In this research experts found out that small fish are reducing at an alarming rate compared to large species. This is because they highly depend on coral for survival. Ways of solving disappearance of coral reefs Disappearance of coral reefs in oceans across the world can be solved by addressing factors that have enhanced global warming. This is by use of sustainable sources of energy that will reduce emission of poisonous gases into the atmosphere. Renewable sources of energy such as hydroelectric, geothermal, solar panels and windmill should be implemented in various countries across the world to reduce emissions (Howard, 2012).Taxation on companies and industries that omit poisonous gases is another viable step of reducing pollution in the atmosphere. Every industry should be taxed on every unit of gas that has been omitted. This will force industries to pursue other sustainable methods of production. Countries should also enact policies that adopt ways of stabilizing concentration of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. This is in an effort to have a sustainable level that will not lead to a dangerous change of climate. On the other hand, an average citizen can also improve destruction of coral reef in the oceans by using renewable sources of energy in his or her homes to reduce emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is because most of energy sources used by average citizen across the world emit gases that lead global warming. In addition, average citizens especially those living along the coast should regulate use of chemicals in their farms to reduce water pollution (United States environmental protection agency, 2012). Conclusion Global warming has adverse effects on various environmental and ecological systems across the world. Marine system is one of the environments that have been affected by the current climate change. This is because rise in world temperature have led to the destruction of coral reefs. According to researchers, wide range of coral across the world has collapsed due to increase in temperatures caused by formation gas layers omitted from industries. This has led to alteration of food chain in the marine ecosystem. In addition, it also led to the extinction of marine animals that depend on coral reefs for survival. Various species of fish are extinct due to disappearance of coral reefs. Countries across the world should thus have a spontaneous response to address this issue to avoid extinction of more sea animals. Reference Environmental Health Perspectives. ( 2012, July 26). Global warming takes a toll on coral reefs. United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences , pp. 1-2. Howard, B. C. (2012, August 15). New Ocean Health Index Measures the Global State of the Seas. National Geographic News , pp. 1-2. Markham, D. ( 2009, January 4). Severe Coral Bleaching Could Devastate Reef Ecosystems. planetsave , p. 1. Simpson, S. D., Meekan, M., Martinez, E., & Lecchini, D. (2011). Extreme climatic events reduce ocean productivity and larval supply in a tropical reef ecosystem. Global Change Biology , 17 (4), 1695-1702. United States environmental protection agency. (2012, June 14). Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations will have many effects. Future Climate Change , p. 1. Read More