Coral Triangle under serious threat

The Coral Triangle, which is located near Indonesia and Asia, is liable to be wiped out towards the close of this century, warns the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), unless action is taken now.

Often compared to the Amazon Rainforest due to large biodiversity, the Coral Triangle contains about 75% of the world’s coral species and has already lost over 40% of its reef area due to a failing ecosystem.

This report is based on 300 published studies and was released by the WWF with the intent to spark interest at the World Ocean Conference to spur further action.

Climate change is blamed for the possible impending death of all the species that support the Coral Triangle and the Coral Triangle is only one small example of how an ecosystem could be destroyed by global warming.

According to Professor Hoegh-Gudberg, pollution and high CO2 emissions that are directly trapped by the ocean will cause the coral system to die which in turn will kill its entire eco-system including marine life, plant life, and many animals that live above land and are dependent on fish and vegetation for food.

Professor Gudberg went on to point out that the Coral Triangle only covers a small 1% of the earth but has far reaching implications which show how neglecting oceans in discussions about climate change can have a larger reach across the globe.

In order to prevent the destruction and death of the area there would need to be better fishing regulations and a reduction in the amount of CO2 emissions around the area, the report from the WWF stated.

The WWF stated that emissions from developed countries would have to be reduced by 40% from 1190 by 2020 and emissions from developing countries would have to be reduced by 30% in order to preserve the reef area past the year 2099.