Science warns: 70-90% of corals will disappear in the next 20 years, and become extinct in 80 years

At the recent ocean science conference, scientists from the University of Hawaii Manoa announced their findings: about 70-90% of all existing coral reefs are expected to disappears in the next 20 years by sea warming, pollution and sea acidification.

"The situation looks very bad by 2100," says Renee Setter. She is one of the scientists involved in the study.

Several environmental activists and reef researchers have been making efforts to restore them. They planted corals in the laboratory, then brought them back to the sea, with the intention of saving the lives of dying corals. But scientists warn just that will not be enough to save coral reef lives.

Science warns: 70-90% of corals will disappear in the next 20 years, and become extinct in 80 years Picture 1

Based on the acidity, water temperature, population density and level of fishing, the new report identifies the most suitable places at sea to conduct coral restoration.

After surveying the seas in the world, the scientists concluded: "By 2100, there will be very little or virtually no suitable habitat for coral to live in . "

According to the team's simulation, by 2045, corals will not be able to survive in most waters. By 2100, the living conditions and conditions of these environments will get worse.

"The truth is that most areas will no longer be suitable [for coral growth]," Setter said. There will be very few areas suitable for coral restoration by 2100, including a part of the state of Baja California (Mexico) and the Red Sea (Indian Ocean). But even these areas are not really ideal for corals because they are too close to the river.

Science warns: 70-90% of corals will disappear in the next 20 years, and become extinct in 80 years Picture 2

The researchers assert that climate change is the main cause of this consequence. The human population may also contribute, but it is only a small factor in a bigger picture.

"Cleaning beaches and fighting pollution is great efforts. We have to keep up the good work . " Setter said. "But most importantly, we must try to combat climate change to protect corals and prevent aggregation concerns . "

The coral reefs are dying

For years, scientists have warned that coral reefs around the world will "die in mass" and face a "global disaster" , because warming of the sea and acidification will destroy the whole set of coral reefs.

The 2,300 km-long Great Barrier Reef is a prime example. In just the past two decades, it has faced two major "bleaches" caused by seawater temperatures.

Science warns: 70-90% of corals will disappear in the next 20 years, and become extinct in 80 years Picture 3

Coral reefs are dead and "bleached."

Subsequently, two consecutive hot waves in 2016 and 2017 destroyed half of the Great Barrier coral reefs along with many other reefs in the world.

The Great Barrier Strip is one of the world's natural wonders; it is nearly as long as Italy and provides habitat for many species of marine animals. Everywhere, nearly a third of marine animals rely on coral reefs to survive. Experts warn of the extinction of corals could cause the ecosystem to collapse.

Mark Eakin is the coordinator of the Coral Guard Society at the United States Meteorological and Hydrological Administration. According to him, the consequences will affect human society. More than one billion people around the world rely on corals as their food source. Coral reefs also protect the coast and infrastructure, and their disappearance can threaten the safety and sustainability of coastal communities.

Science warns: 70-90% of corals will disappear in the next 20 years, and become extinct in 80 years Picture 4

Coral farm

In recent years, activists have been trying to find ways to save coral reefs, environmental contractors have opened coral farms, helped scale up and accelerate recovery efforts.

Scientists have tried using underwater speakers to simulate the sound of a healthy reef, with the intention of drawing the fish back to the dead reef, hoping that they will help the reef recover.

These efforts have been successful to some extent and may have extended the time for coral reefs around the world. But all the scientists and contractors say that is not enough to save them all. Nothing is possible unless we take drastic action to impact climate change.

According to CNN