How to Save a Coral Reef
Massive bleaching events fueled by climate change can be deadly for reefs. Bleach-resistant corals could save reefs facing complete extinction.
The massive bleaching event at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef was probably a headline you came across this past year. The reef experienced its third major bleaching event in the past five years, thought to be the largest bleaching event ever recorded.
Previous to 2020, the 2016 bleaching event was the largest recorded event worldwide. And these events are only becoming more frequent with rising temperatures. So what can we do to help reefs in the face of global climate change? It turns out — quite a bit, thanks to scientists.
Reefs are important economically and ecologically
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the largest reefs in the world, covering over 132,000 square miles. That’s big enough to fit the entirety of New York City inside the Great Barrier Reef 445 times! The reef is also host to more than 1,500 known species of fish and 411 species of corals, not to mention the estimated thousands of other species that interact with the reef on a daily basis. It’s also an important part of Australia’s economy, estimated to bring in $5.6 billion annually.
