Coral Reefs and Climate Change

The health of coral reefs in many parts of the world is declining due to a variety of direct, local human pressures (such as over fishing, destructive fishing techniques, land-based activities affecting water quality). Coral reefs are now subject to an additional global-scale threat to their long-term well-being, due to the enhanced Greenhouse effect. The two most important consequences of the enhanced Greenhouse effect for coral reefs are warming of the oceans and changes in ocean chemistry.

International Year of the Reef 2008
This page cotains material that will be of interest mostly but not exclusively to divers and reef tourists. Guideliness on how we can protect coral reefs on an individual level. There are also great links to other online resources including online photo/movie library.

Climate Change kids Site
Sponsored by the United States Environment Protection Agency. It explains what climate change is and what we can do about it. This link has resources for teachers and also some games for young students.

Ask Dr. Global Change
The US Global Change Research Information Office website. Answers common questions about climate change. Also has lots of links.

NOVA
Science in the News. The Australian Academy of Science sponsors this website. It’s a good place to see what’s making the news. It provides reliable and up-to-date information on Australian science behind the news stories.

Australian webpages on Climate Change
http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/about/communications/issues/coral-reefs-and-climate-change-2007.html
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/science/climate_change

Stern Review Report
The Stern report on the Economics of Climate Change released on 30/10/2006 in Britain. This report has generated more government response and publicity globally than any other report to date. It discusses the cost of climate change in terms of economics rather than just environmental effects. It urges immediate action to address the problems associated with climate change and proposes some solutions. Not a children’s website but a valuable reference site.

Climate Change report 2007
The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). A comprehensive and rigourous picture of the global present state of knowledge on global warming.