How Does Coral Bleaching Affect Coral Reefs

Warming Bleaches Two-Thirds of the Great Barrier Reef The largest living structure on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef, has been severely damaged for the second time in twelve months and many scientists are now suspecting that climate change is the culprit. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, home to over 1,500 species of fish, is currently experiencing another massive bleaching event. This ‘bleaching’ occurs when pollutants, excess sunlight, or unusually hot waters drive coral to to expel symbiotic algae, which are the coral’s main source of food, from their tissue, turning the coral white. This process, while not necessarily beneficial to the coral, will not immediately kill the coral. Instead, the coral could possibly be recovered if the condition of the water improves and if the coral can be recolonized by the algae. However, if the coral cannot be recolonized by the algae, the coral will grow weak and more susceptible to disease. Richmond believes that the world needs to start reducing greenhouse gasses in order to save the coral reefs. “We’re not just a bunch of reef huggers,” Richmond stated. “What’s good for corals is good for humanity. Most nations get it.” …show more content…
The author has bias throughout the article. He is trying to explain to his audience the graveness of the problem at hand. He believes that the Great Barrier Reefs are very important and climate change could pose risks for, not only Australia, but for hundreds of millions of people all around the world. He briefly explains a few benefits of the coral reefs to possibly persuade people to help in saving them. Some benefits he described include corals providing habitats for a quarter of the world’s fish, and reefs protecting shorelines, reducing storm surges that can ravage coastal