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9 Jul 2009 11:22:29
A University of Bedfordshire
professor joined a host of experts to highlight the urgency of the climate
change threat to coral reefs.
Professor James Crabbe, Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science (CATS) at the University, was invited to London along with 30 other climate scientists, marine biologists and ecologists from around the world to attend a special meeting at the Royal Society, chaired by Sir David Attenborough.
The event, arranged by the International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO), the Royal Society and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), was in response to the current crisis facing coral reefs caused by the increasingly serious impacts of climate change.
There is a stark warning that tropical reefs, directly impacted by the effects of global warming and ocean acidification, are likely to be placed into a situation of irreversible decline if immediate steps are not taken to sufficiently reduce CO2 emissions.
James’ research in Jamaica and on the Belize barrier reef, supported by Earthwatch, has addressed impact levels on coral reefs from climate-driven bleaching and storm events.
He said: “Until now, world leaders negotiating emissions reductions have not taken the ocean into serious account, but with so much at risk, the oceans can no longer be ignored.
“Now, there is every reason to believe that the oceans may in fact be the most vulnerable sector of our planet to climate change - with dire consequences for us all.”
The aim of the emergency meeting was to produce a statement of what the scientists believe to be a best estimate of a safe level of CO2 in the atmosphere to achieve long-term sustainability of coral reef ecosystems.
Supporting signatures for this statement will be gathered from the scientists and the wider community, including the public, members of non-governmental organisations and policymakers.
The statement will be presented at the pivotal United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December.
James said: “Coral reefs are one of the major ecosystems of the world. They do not stand alone, but are linked through sea-grass beds, mangrove forests and coastal forests in a seascape-landscape system that is vital to billions of people.
“They are continually threatened by much human intervention - overfishing, resort development and pollution to name just three.
“Climate change is potentially the most serious threat, but combined with other human-induced threats it becomes even more critical.
“Increased amounts of greenhouse gases result in increased global warming, while increased carbon dioxide also results in increased ocean acidification. This produces an unsustainable marine environment for our coral reefs globally, as well as for other marine creatures that build calcium carbonate skeletons.
“We need to work together to limit our greenhouse gas emissions so that these ecosystems will be there as long as mankind is on the earth.”
The meeting identified the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide predicted to result in the demise of coral reefs. At today’s level of 387 parts per million (ppm) carbon dioxide, reefs are seriously declining.
As anticipated rates of emission increase, it is expected that 450 parts per million (ppm) carbon dioxide will be reached before 2050. At that point, corals may be on a path to extinction within a matter of decades.
By 2050, the remaining coral reefs could fall victim to ocean acidification. Such a catastrophe would not be confined to reefs, but could start a domino-like sequence of the fall of other marine and coastal ecosystems.
Following the meeting, an Australian professor, J.E.N. ‘Charlie’ Veron spoke about global extinctions in the past, climate change, and what was needed to preserve our present coral reefs.
Latest news» 2009» July» Special meeting highlights climate change threat to coral reefs
