The Marine Heat Wave Threatening Florida's Coral Reefs

Florida's coral reefs are facing an unprecedented threat from a marine heat wave that is warming the Gulf of Mexico.

The biggest concern for coral isn't just the current sea surface temperatures in the Florida Keys, but that it's only July, and corals typically experience the most heat stress in Aug & Sep.

Coral reefs are natural wonders that support myriad species and blunt damage from storms.

In the United States, reefs generate economic benefits to the tune of $3.4 billion annually for fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection, according to NOAA.

However, when sea temperatures rise too high, corals bleach, expelling the algae they need for sustenance.

If waters don't cool quickly enough, or if bleaching events happen in close succession, the corals die.

Climate change poses an existential threat to coral reefs. The world has already lost perhaps half of its coral reefs since 1950.

Around 25% of all marine life, including more than 4,000 kinds of fish, depend on reefs at some point in their lives.

Fish populations that depend on coral reefs for habitat are likely to decline as the reefs disappear, which could affect fishing industries and coastal communities.

Storms, which churn up deeper, cooler water and reduce sunshine, could provide relief, scientists say.

However, the long-term solution requires urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Scientists are actively working to develop new ways to help coral reefs become more resilient to the effects of climate change.

With the right policies and actions, we can work together to protect coral reefs and the countless species that depend on them for survival.

Let us all work together to protect coral reefs and the countless species that depend on them for survival.

Florida’s Coral Reefs

The Marine Heat Wave Threatening Florida's Coral Reefs

The Marine Heat Wave Threatening Florida's Coral Reefs

Send us an email at contact@sustainabilityawakening.com

Send us an email at contact@sustainabilityawakening.com

Florida's coral reefs are facing an unprecedented threat from a marine heat wave that is warming the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida's coral reefs are facing an unprecedented threat from a marine heat wave that is warming the Gulf of Mexico.

The biggest concern for coral isn't just the current sea surface temperatures in the Florida Keys, but that it's only July, and corals typically experience the most heat stress in Aug & Sep.

The biggest concern for coral isn't just the current sea surface temperatures in the Florida Keys, but that it's only July, and corals typically experience the most heat stress in Aug & Sep.

Coral reefs are natural wonders that support myriad species and blunt damage from storms.

Coral reefs are natural wonders that support myriad species and blunt damage from storms.

A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals.

A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals.

In the United States, reefs generate economic benefits to the tune of $3.4 billion annually for fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection, according to NOAA.

In the United States, reefs generate economic benefits to the tune of $3.4 billion annually for fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection, according to NOAA.

However, when sea temperatures rise too high, corals bleach, expelling the algae they need for sustenance.

However, when sea temperatures rise too high, corals bleach, expelling the algae they need for sustenance.

If waters don't cool quickly enough, or if bleaching events happen in close succession, the corals die.

If waters don't cool quickly enough, or if bleaching events happen in close succession, the corals die.

Climate change poses an existential threat to coral reefs. The world has already lost perhaps half of its coral reefs since 1950.

Climate change poses an existential threat to coral reefs. The world has already lost perhaps half of its coral reefs since 1950.

Around 25% of all marine life, including more than 4,000 kinds of fish, depend on reefs at some point in their lives.

Around 25% of all marine life, including more than 4,000 kinds of fish, depend on reefs at some point in their lives.

Fish populations that depend on coral reefs for habitat are likely to decline as the reefs disappear, which could affect fishing industries and coastal communities.

Fish populations that depend on coral reefs for habitat are likely to decline as the reefs disappear, which could affect fishing industries and coastal communities.

Storms, which churn up deeper, cooler water and reduce sunshine, could provide relief, scientists say.

Storms, which churn up deeper, cooler water and reduce sunshine, could provide relief, scientists say.

However, the long-term solution requires urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

However, the long-term solution requires urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

GHGs: CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3

GHGs: CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3

Scientists are actively working to develop new ways to help coral reefs become more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Scientists are actively working to develop new ways to help coral reefs become more resilient to the effects of climate change.

With the right policies and actions, we can work together to protect coral reefs and the countless species that depend on them for survival.

With the right policies and actions, we can work together to protect coral reefs and the countless species that depend on them for survival.

Let us all work together to protect coral reefs and the countless species that depend on them for survival.

Let us all work together to protect coral reefs and the countless species that depend on them for survival.