World is not doing enough to protect coral reefs, UN envoy says
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The world is not doing enough to protect coral reefs, the United Nations’ special envoy for the ocean said Tuesday in defense of the marine ecosystems that protect biodiversity, sustain underwater life and produce some of the oxygen we breathe.
In an interview with The Associated Press on the sidelines of an international ocean conference in Greece, Peter Thomson suggested that all significant coral reefs should be included in marine protected areas under what is known as the “30x30” initiative — a plan to designate 30% of the world’s land and ocean areas as protected areas by 2030.
Top reef scientists on Monday announced that coral reefs are experiencing global bleaching for the fourth time — and the second time in just 10 years – as a result of warming oceans amid human-caused climate change.
Bleaching occurs when stressed coral, which are invertebrates, expel the algae that provide their food and give them their vibrant colors. Although the coral can recover, severe and prolonged bleaching can kill it.
Related articles
Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Ask almost any hardcore motorsports fan who the best driver in the world is righ2024-05-22Weather updates: More warnings issued as front creeps north
Photo: RNZ/Maia Ingoe2024-05-22Charter Schools establishment board pay revealed
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has tasked the board with helping reintroduce charter sch2024-05-22Man accused of North Shore kidnapping named; other suspect still sought
Police outside the Sunhaven Avenue property after the kidnapping. Photo: Jordan Dunn / RNZ2024-05-22- Kid Rock wielded a gun, hurled racial slurs, and instigated a physical altercation with a reporter,2024-05-22
VOX POPULI: Time’s up for wallowing in nostalgia for the Showa Era
I once started writing “like a broken record” and stopped, realizing this could all be Greek to the2024-05-22
atest comment