Causes
Burns coal, oil, and natural gases releasing massive amounts of CO2
What is Fossil Fuel Combustion?
Increasing environmental stress, which forces corals to expel their symbiotic, food-producing algae
What is choral bleaching?
absorbing atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis
What is reforestation and afforestation?
Reduces the planets ability to absorb CO2
What is Deforestation?
driven by climate change and human activities, causing a 50% loss of global reefs in three decades
What is coral reef degradation?
Safeguarding coastal habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes preserves vital carbon sinks and strengthens shoreline resilience
What is the protection of coastal ecosystems?
An effect of burning fossil fuels for energy, transportation, and industrial processes. Also causes the ocean to become approximately 30% more acidic
What is increased atmospheric CO2?
Reduction of available carbonate ions needed to build shells and skeletons
Why is there fewer and smaller marine life?
A transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and developing new, cleaner technologies
What is cutting carbon emissions?
Brings deep, cold, low-pH water up to the surface
What is Upwelling?
increases the absorption of atmospheric CO2 which dissolves in seawater to form carbonic acid. This acid breaks down, releasing hydrogen ions.
What lowers the pH?
adding substances like limestone or olivine to the ocean to increase pH
What is ocean alkalinity enhancement?