Occupying just one percent of the earth’s surface, the Coral Triangle holds 30 percent of the world’s coral reefs. The site is broken down into 76 percent of coral species and more than 35 percent of coral reef fish species. It is also an important spawning ground for the fishing industry top-earners such as tuna.

The Coral Triangle provides livelihood to more than 100 million people. The coral reef spread is found in the six countries of Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Timor Leste.

The Coral Triangle and Climate Change: Ecosystems, People and Societies at Risk is an analysis based on more than 300 published scientific studies from more than 20 experts in the scientific arenas of biology, economics, and fisheries. The report presents ‘two different possible futures this century for the world’s richest marine environment’ composed of the coasts, reefs, and seas of the Coral Triangle.

The prognosis, if backed by persistent positive action, looks hopeful as there looms an ‘opportunity to avoid a worst-case scenario in the region and instead build a resilient and robust Coral Triangle in which economic growth, food security and natural environments are maintained if significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are backed up by international investment in strengthening the region’s natural environments.’

If current trends persist, however, and no affirmative action is taken to alleviate climate change, ‘coral reefs will disappear from the Coral Triangle by the end of the century, the ability of the region’s coastal environments to feed people will decline by 80 percent, and the livelihoods of around 100 million people will have been lost or severely impacted.’

The solution to avert catastrophe needs a two-pronged approach: stem overfishing and cut pollution levels.

Image

Via WWF