The Toronto Post A Consolidated News Source
We are witnessing a dire situation here with the bleaching of corals, very intense bleaching indeed. Unfortunately, around 80%, perhaps even more, of the corals are experiencing bleaching. So, out of every 100 coral colonies, over 80% of them are bleached. It’s disheartening to see. I chose to work in this area, knowing that in a few years, it might not even exist anymore. It’s quite saddening, you know? It’s like watching an environment vanish before our eyes.
Dying corals are like the trees of the coral reef ecosystem, adding life to the environment. They support various marine life, including fish, crustaceans, shrimp, and lobsters. This creates an entire production chain in the region. Tourism and fishing depend heavily on coral reefs. Any alteration or change in this ecosystem would disrupt the entire production chain, affecting communities that rely on the sea for survival.
Climate change is a harsh reality, and it’s intensifying every year. This year, 2024, has been particularly severe for water temperatures in the region. Coral reefs are highly sensitive to temperature changes. For instance, we recorded temperatures of up to 33°C here in the region. Even a slight variation in temperature can disrupt the metabolism of corals and lead to bleaching, ultimately causing the death of a large number of these species.
