The Take What would happen if coral reefs disappeared?
Jul 9, 2025
Heather Starck, the Executive Director of the Coral Reef Alliance, dives into the alarming decline of coral reefs, calling it a silent crisis affecting billions. She discusses how coral reefs are crucial for marine ecosystems, their contribution to global food security, and the devastation caused by mass bleaching. Heather highlights potential recovery efforts, showcasing success stories of resilient corals, while advocating for urgent conservation actions to protect these vital habitats from climate change and pollution.
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Coral Reefs: Vital Ocean Lungs
- Coral reefs support 25% of marine species and provide food and livelihoods to a billion people globally.
- They also contribute to 50% of Earth's oxygen by sustaining healthy oceans, essential for the entire planet.
Fisherman Depends on Coral Reefs
- Kenyan fisherman Kalume Kehinde depends on coral reefs for fish reproduction and his livelihood.
- Coral reef loss would directly eliminate income for thousands of coastal fishers like him.
Why Coral Bleaches and Dies
- Coral bleaching occurs when corals under heat stress expel their symbiotic algae, losing color and nutrients.
- Prolonged bleaching leads to coral death and unhealthy, algae-covered reefs that drastically disrupt marine ecosystems.