Coral Reefs: Majestic Realms under the Sea

Coral reefs are essential for the planet, but they are declining due to global warming. This book argues that their decline is an existential warning to humanity and offers a reframing of the challenge of steering the planet into safe waters.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 02 July 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

An eye-opening introduction to the complexity, wonder, and vital roles of coral reefs, this book blends memoir, popular science, and a call to action on climate change. It makes a compelling case for why coral reefs deserve more attention, stating simply but powerfully: as coral reefs go, so goes the rest of the planet.

When mass coral bleaching and die-offs were first identified in the 1980s and eventually linked to warming events, the scientific community believed that such a dramatic and unambiguous signal would serve as a warning sign about the devastating effects of global warming. However, most people ignored that warning. Subsequent decades have witnessed yet more degradation. Reefs around the world have lost more than 50 percent of their living coral since the 1970s.

In this book, distinguished marine ecologist Peter F. Sale imparts his passion for the unexpected beauty, complexity, and necessity of coral reefs. By placing reefs in the wider context of global climate change, Sale demonstrates how their decline is more than simply a one-off environmental tragedy but rather an existential warning to humanity. He offers a reframing of the enormous challenge humanity faces as a noble venture to steer the planet into safe waters that might even retain some coral reefs.

Coral reefs are not just beautiful but also vital ecosystems that support a wide range of marine life. They provide habitat for fish, coral, and other organisms, and play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the oceans. Coral reefs are also important for tourism and economic development, as they attract visitors from around the world and support local communities.

However, coral reefs are facing numerous threats, including climate change, pollution, overfishing, and disease. Climate change is the most significant threat, as rising temperatures and ocean acidification are causing coral bleaching and die-offs. This is leading to the loss of habitat and the decline of coral populations, which can have devastating impacts on marine ecosystems.

Pollution is also a major threat to coral reefs, as it can lead to the death of coral and other marine organisms. Overfishing is another threat, as it can lead to the depletion of fish populations and the destruction of coral habitats. Disease is also a significant threat, as it can spread rapidly among coral populations and lead to the decline of entire reefs.

To protect coral reefs, it is essential to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. This can include reducing the use of fossil fuels, promoting renewable energy, and implementing policies to reduce pollution and overfishing. It is also important to support conservation efforts to protect and restore coral reefs, such as coral nurseries and reef restoration projects.

In conclusion, coral reefs are a vital and complex ecosystem that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of the oceans. They are facing numerous threats, but it is possible to protect and restore these important ecosystems. By taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate the effects of climate change, and support conservation efforts, we can help to ensure that coral reefs continue to thrive for generations to come.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 167 x 243 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300253832