Final signature count:
16,363
16,363 signatures
toward our 30,000 goal
We must cut our carbon dioxide emissions to save this biologically diverse ecosystem!
Without urgent action, nearly ALL the world’s coral reefs could be lost by 2050 to a phenomenon known as “coral bleaching.” [1]
Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet, home to 25% of all marine life [4]. However, rising ocean temperatures are causing coral reefs to turn white and suffocate – a phenomenon called ‘coral bleaching.’ As we emit more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, we cause ocean water to warm, which causes corals to expel the vital algae living in their tissues. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is a case in point – amid record heat in 2015, a whopping 93% of the Reef experienced bleaching, according to the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies [2]. This means the vast majority of the reef is dying; at immediate risk of extinction.
With 2016 officially declared the hottest year on record [3] our coral reefs are more vulnerable than ever. If we don’t take action now, we will continue to see fish and invertebrate populations die in record numbers, and expose hundreds of millions of people to decreasing food security and increased poverty. By prioritizing clean energy and sustainability, we can minimize our carbon dioxide emissions and prevent higher ocean temperatures. Together, we can save our coral reefs.
Help us NOW by writing to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, asking for a commitment to our international pledge to cut carbon dioxide emissions in order to mitigate the effects of climate change and save coral reefs.
<p><strong>Want to Do More?</strong></p><p>After signing the petition, you can do more to help reefs by donating to FORCE BLUE, a non-profit which trains select Special Operations veterans to preserve and restore coral reefs by transplanting coral to ensure its survival. <a href="https://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp">Learn more about the project here.</a></p><p><strong>Works Cited</strong></p><p><span data-escaped-char>[</span>1<span data-escaped-char>]</span> Nearly half marine population lost in last 40 years Jennifer Gray - <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/17/world/oceans-report/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/17/world/oceans-report/index.html</a></p><p><span data-escaped-char>[</span>2<span data-escaped-char>]</span> Study: 93% of Great Barrier Reef bleached Euan McKirdy - <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/20/asia/great-barrier-reef-coral-bleaching/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/20/asia/great-barrier-reef-coral-bleaching/index.html</a></p><p><span data-escaped-char>[</span>3<span data-escaped-char>]</span> 2016 declared Earth’s hottest year on record Rob McElwee - <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/2016-declared-earth-hottest-year-record-170119110643654.html">http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/2016-declared-earth-hottest-year-record-170119110643654.html</a></p><p><span data-escaped-char>[</span>4<span data-escaped-char>]</span> Coral reefs <a href="http://wwf.panda.org/about\_our\_earth/blue\_planet/coasts/coral\_reefs/">http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/coasts/coral_reefs/</a></p><p><span data-escaped-char>[</span>5<span data-escaped-char>]</span> Fishing Bans Create a Glimmer of Hope on the Great Barrier Reef Sarah Zielinski - <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/fishing-bans-create-glimmer-hope-great-barrier-reef-180954760/">http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/fishing-bans-create-glimmer-hope-great-barrier-reef-180954760/</a></p>
