WE NEED CORAL REEFS
Reefs are the most diverse ecosystems on earth,
with over a million species calling reefs home.
They generate US$300-400 billion each year in terms of food and livelihoods
from tourism, fisheries, and medicines.
(Source: WWF 2015, Smithsonian Institute)
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90 per cent of the world's coral reefs are set to disappear in the next 35 years due to coral bleaching induced by global warming, pollution and
over-development. (Source: 50Reefs.org)
But if we act together now we can bring colour back to reefs by
REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS &
OCEAN POLLUTION - NOW!​
Photos: Jacqueline Bosscher & The Ocean Agency
WHY ARE REEFS SO IMPORTANT?
HABITAT
= HOME
'Reef building' hard corals and colony dwelling soft corals form the underwater cities, ie reefs, that support 25% of all marine life worldwide.
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An incredible array of marine creatures call a coral reef home (either part- or full-time) - from microscopic organisms (such as plankton) to the largest marine mammals (whales). Reefs have the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem.
FOOD &
MEDICINE
1 billion people worldwide rely on coral reefs for the food they provide. Reefs are the oceans' nurseries for young fish, and island dwelling peoples in particular are nourished by life on reefs.
Reefs are home to species that have the potential for treatments for some of the world’s most prevalent and dangerous illnesses and diseases.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL &
COASTAL PROTECTION
93% of heat in the Earth's atmosphere is absorbed by the oceans. Carbon emissions create the Greenhouse Effect which is overheating our
air, oceans and climates.
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Coral reefs reduce shoreline erosion by absorbing energy from waves. They protect coastal housing, agricultural land and beaches, with a global net benefit of an estimated US$9 billion per year.
REEFS SHOULD BE COLOURFUL, VIBRANT & HEALTHY -
LIVE THE DIFFERENCE NOW
TO BRING COLOUR BACK TO THE WORLD'S REEFS!
TOURISM - JOBS & INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCES
Reefs generate US$36 billion and create millions of jobs in the tourism sector alone.
Well managed reef tourism provides a sustainable means of earning foreign currency and employment for people around the world.
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As well as experiencing the incredible world beneath the ocean surface, reef visitors can assist in 'Citizen Science' projects that build knowledge and increase protection programs
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Australia's Great Barrier Reef is 1 of only 7 World Heritage sites on the planet!
It has an economic, social & iconic brand value in the billions of dollars
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Reefs should be in technicolour, not black & white
INSPIRING PEOPLE & ORGANISATIONS WORKING
TO ENSURE REEFS SURVIVE
The Ocean Agency acts globally to protect coral reefs, with its film Chasing Coral exploding on Netflix and its 50 Reefs initiative injecting money & science into global reef conservation efforts
The STOP ADANI campaign is based on local groups working together to protest & block the proposed Adani mega coal mine, promoting renewable energy - join your local group via Facebook
Australia's first indigenous youth climate justice network with a vision for a just & sustainable future with strong cultures & communities powered by renewable energy