Oceans becoming more acidic and warmer due to emissions of carbon dioxide would cause the death of coral reefs around the world by the end of the century, according to a warning from several experts that recently gathered in London.

More than twenty experts on coral reefs and climate change came together on behalf of several universities, government research agencies, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The scientists noted that the current pace of emissions would put the corals in the path of extinction in just a few decades.

According to scientists, when oceans absorb large amounts of CO2 emitted by burning fossil fuels as they do, they become more acidic while absorbing carbon. The process disrupts the calcification in marine creatures that build shells and coral reefs.

Coral reefs are delicate undersea structures built by tiny marine invertebrate animals called coral polyps that tend to live in large colonies. These eventually act as an important refuge and nursery area for fish and other marine species. ‘They also protect coastlines, provide a critical source of food for millions of people, attract tourists and are potential storehouse of medicines for cancer and other diseases.’

Estimates peg the anticipated rate of emission by 2050 at 450 ppm CO2.

“If CO2 is allowed to reach 450 ppm, as is currently widely regarded as being the most optimistic threshold target for world leaders to agree at Copenhagen, we will have put the world’s reefs on a path to major degradation and ultimate extinction,” John Veron, the former chief scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

One goal is for governments to agree to a ceiling of 320 parts per million of carbon dioxide. According to scientists, 360 marks the limit of survival of the reefs.

Researchers around the world have been urging governments to take into account the threats to the ocean for the sake of the new treaty on combating climate change which will be forged in December in Copenhagen.

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Via ZSL/Reuters