By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
Rising carbon emissions might kill off the ocean's coral reefs by 2050, scientists warn in today's edition of the journal .
Burning coal, oil and gas adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, the same gas used to give soft drinks fizz. Just as carbon dioxide is absorbed into the drink, ocean water absorbs it from the air. When the carbon dioxide enters the ocean, it makes the water more acidic. That interferes with the ability of coral to calcify their skeletons: They can no longer grow and they begin to die.
Coral reefs are important because they act as hatcheries and nurseries for open ocean fish. They also protect coasts from storms, and provide fish, recreation and tourism dollars. It is estimated that coral reef fisheries in Asia feed one billion people. The total economic value of coral is estimated to be $30 billion.But global warming is seriously threatening that crucial component of the ocean
For more read articles on USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/globalwarming/2007-12-13-coral-reefs_N.htm)
I wonder why people are not easily died if they take fizzy drinks! Unlike corals which are very delicate and sensitive, human are resilient and ready to face challenge..That's why Allah create human to be very strong physically, spritually and mentally to face all these environmental problems ; and also to think sensibly on God's creation. Take only what you need and not what you greed for...(ehem sound like Mr Tan). If people adopt this principle, I think global warming won't be an issue these days.. perhaps next decade it will
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According to Rupert Ormond, a marine biologist from Glasgow University, the world's coral reefs will be dead within 50 years because of global warming, and there is nothing we can do to save them, a scientist warned on September 5, 2001. He also said that the only cause for optimism was that new coral reefs could start to emerge in colder waters such as the north Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Humankind will also suffer directly as the dead reefs are eroded and shorelines that have been protected for the last 10,000 years are now vulnerable without their natural defenses.
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