Rainforests of the Ocean-In Danger?

Did you know that over 75 percent of coral reefs are in danger of disappearing? The coral reefs face threats from fishing practices and tourism, and other threats such as ocean warming. That's where global warming plays a role: the oceans are warming only because of climate change due to global warming. But there is one more threat: ocean acidification. Ocean acidification happens because of the burning of fossil fuels such as coal to make electricity, heat homes, and power cars. Fossil fuels increase the amount of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) in the air and some of that carbon dioxide dissolves into the ocean, making it warmer. And that additional acid is affecting marine life, including making it hard for corals to grow affecting coral reefs. And coral reefs affect people. They have chemicals that can fight cancer, and protect shorelines from storms. But, people at Mote Marine Laboratory are working hard to save corals by growing them at a nursery. To learn more about corals and the Mote Marine Laboratory go to www.mote.org.