Coral Reefs in the Maldives: The Impact of Climate Change
Lesson Express
Q: Why are changing ocean temperatures so dangerous for coral reefs?
A: The coral will die if the ocean water heats up even one degree and stays at the temperature for a while.
Q: Why are coral reefs so important to ocean life?
A: Coral reefs make up only 1% of the world’s marine environment, but they are the natural habitat of 25% of marine species. The biodiversity of the coral reefs is like the rainforests on land; they keep the rest of the ecosystem in balance.
Q: How does climate change threaten the country of the Maldives?
A: As the oceans warm up, the water levels rise. This could potentially cause massive flooding on the islands.
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In Coral Bleaching, witness the effects of global warming on coral ecosystems. The world’s oceans are warming due to climate change, which negatively affects coral reefs, home to about a quarter of all ocean life. Coral is highly sensitive to temperature changes, and as ocean temperatures rise, coral bleaching becomes more extreme. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change — The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
In Coral Bleaching, witness the effects of global warming on coral ecosystems. The world’s oceans are warming due to climate change, which negatively affects coral reefs, home to about a quarter of all ocean life. Coral is highly sensitive to temperature changes, and as ocean temperatures rise, coral bleaching becomes more extreme. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change — The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.