Coral Reefs

1950 CE - 2022 CE

"Called the 'tropical rainforests of the oceans,' coral reefs cover less than 1% of the Earth's surface but are home to 25% of all marine fish species. Vulnerable to climate change it is estimated that 70% of the world's reefs will be destroyed within the next 40 years."

- IUCN & Rachel Oliver

WHAT YOU CAN DO

  • Use reef-safe sunscreen made from minerals instead of chemicals that damage corals.

  • Stop using disposable plastics such as water bottles, bags, and straws, which often end up in the ocean.

  • Never buy coral jewelry, wild-caught reef fish, or souvenirs made from coral or shells.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND HOW TO HELP

Visit:

film: National Geographic

sound: Radio Expeditions Sound Collection at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

thumbnail: Toby Hudson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons