Coral Reefs: A Pollution Crisis

Coral Reefs provide a shelter or habitat for thousands of marine animals. Yet due to recent research, Coral Reefs could be in danger with the increase in pollution and plastic found in or near Coral Reefs. Millions of tons of plastic ends up in the ocean each year. Plastic cannot be destroyed because it is non-decomposable, and can’t be targeted by bacteria to slowly decompose. So each year, tons of plastics keep stacking up further polluting the world’s oceans. Coral reefs are affected the most because coral is most susceptible to plastic. When it comes into contact with plastic, the skin of the coral tears. This allows for diseases and bacteria to get into the coral, eventually killing it or damaging it to an extent. 

 This picture above depicts a non-thriving coral reef with no ecosystem due to the over pollution of cans and plastic

Without corals, there can be no thriving reef. The ocean and its coral reefs are filled with beautiful colors and creatures. But nearly 50 percent of coral reefs have died in the last 30 years, and almost 90 percent will die in the next century(Secore). This not will only affect the ocean’s ecosystem but it will greatly affect some countries and their economies.  Without coral reefs, many fishermen, and tourist industries will lose out. Coral reefs also offer coastal protection. Coastal reefs are able to buffer our casts from waves, storms, and floods. This helps prevent loss of life, property damage, public costs, and erosion. 

Coral Reefs are not able to survive these intense conditions that humans put them under, as we affect their everyday activities with our own. All species need time to evolve and adapt to the environment around them. It is called natural selection. Yet natural selection cannot occur without a species ability to reproduce. Human activity has slowed down or denied corals from reproducing at their usual rate. If this trend continues corals will struggle to survive. 

How do we raise awareness, and how do we get governments and people to work together to help save the dying coral reefs? Many non-profit organizations just like ours, are helping spread awareness to the public about the dying reefs. The Ocean Agency, a non-profit organization helping to spread awareness about the coral reefs, has already implemented a system allowing people to do virtual reality diving. This allows the public to see how beautiful the ocean and its marine animals are. There are also government-funded programs such as the EPA, who give tips and tricks on how to help protect coral reefs. Solutions such as recycling, using less fertilizers, saving energy, and spreading the word can help. 

The image above shows the colorful atmosphere and creatures with a plastic bag wrapped around a coral. 

Coral Reefs have been around for over 400 million years. It is an intricate part of the ocean and to the every day lives of both mankind and marine ocean dwellers. Mainly due to our own actions, coral reefs face extinction in the next few decades just like the other 1,000,000 species also in peril because of human activity. Our everyday activities such as driving a car, going out to eat, or leaving the lights on affects the continuity of the ocean’s ecosystem. Pollution and overfishing hugely impact sea life as well. For those lucky enough to experience coral reefs first hand, the next few generations might not be able to be fortunate enough to experience these underwater worlds.