"The International Year of the Reef" - "Reefer Sadness" Rewritten for XC

2008 is the International Year of the Reef; coral reefs that is, and there will be a large amount of discussion and research given to these beautiful and diverse underwater environments this year because they are being directly affected by the effects of global warming. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) says that, “…warming seas and increased hurricanes affected more than half of Caribbean coral reefs in 2005.” Although this is an alarming fact, even more disturbing is the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) claim that, “In one year alone, sixteen percent of the world’s coral reefs were wiped out.” The NWF goes on to say that, “A sea temperature change of a mere one degree Celsius would yield similar losses. Increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the water cause damage to corals, leaving them defenseless against storm damage and erosion.”
It is imperative that during this International Year of the Reef we as a technologically advanced and earth-sensitive society learn more about the coral reefs and how to prevent their annihilation.

“Coral Reefs and Global Warming.” National Wildlife Federation. 11 Feb. 2008. http://www.nwf.org/coralandglobalwarming/.

“Reefer Sadness.” Grist: Environmental News and Commentary. 25 Jan. 2008. 11 Feb. 2008 http://www.grist.org/news/2008/01/25/reef/index.html.