Many of us take coral reefs for granted. This nonchalant attitude is due to the fact that we do not encounter coral reefs very often. Additionally, there is not much public education regarding the importance of coral reefs to our environment.

Earth.org states that a coral reef is a colony of hundreds of thousands of individual animals called coral polyps. These form when free-swimming coral larvae get attached to rocks or other hard surfaces underwater, mainly along the coastlines of islands and continents. These polyps are usually small, but they form large structures underwater comprised of the skeletons of marine invertebrates.

Corals feed on small marine life and algae, which are a great source of energy to them. Hence, corals can be either carnivorous or herbivorous. Another interesting fact about corals is that some of the species are hermaphrodites or bisexual, meaning one coral polyp produces both eggs and sperms at the same time. Other species are gonochoric, meaning that the polyps produce either the eggs or the sperm, but not both. In this case, neighbouring reefs rely on each other for successful reproduction.

The Status of Coral Reefs of the World 2020 report shows that between 2009 and 2018 there was a progressive loss of 14 per cent of the coral from the world’s coral reefs primarily caused by recurring large-scale bleaching events. Additionally, the report paints a picture of declining coral abundance and increasing algae, which is a sign of declining coral health. However, all is not lost as the report also highlighted the incredible ability of coral reefs to recover when they are not disturbed by local or global threats.

Coral reefs are one of the oldest ecosystems in the ocean and the full development of a coral reef can take thousands of years. In addition to being such a complex ecosystem, they provide a home to thousands of marine species and absorb the excess carbon dioxide in the water.

Coral reefs undergo a natural process of bleaching when water temperatures are warmer in the summer. However, global warming and the increasing number of heat waves in recent years are affecting a larger area of the reefs. The forecast regarding heat waves for Jamaica is disturbing as the Meteorological Service has predicted at least 15 to 20 heat wave days through to the end of August 2023.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number 14 (SDG14) addresses life below water. The United Nations states that destructive trends in ocean health have not abated. The ocean, the world’s largest ecosystem, continues to be endangered by rising acidification, eutrophication, declining fish stock, and mounting plastic pollution. While there has been some progress in expanding marine-protected areas and combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing over the years, more concerted efforts and acceleration are urgently needed. As a result, urgent and coordinated global action is needed to continue to advance towards SDG14.

It is estimated that nearly 200 million people rely on coral reefs to safeguard them from storms. This means that reefs already play a critical role in protecting human lives. It would be cost-prohibitive to construct sea walls for the same level of protection and as a result many coastal cities would be in constant danger.

The Caribbean has 10 per cent of the world’s coral reefs, and the objective is to safeguard and create healthier and more resilient ecosystems that will contribute significantly to increased biodiversity, economic prosperity, and food security.

Jamaica’s capacity to conserve and restore its coral reefs is being bolstered under the six-year CoralCarib project through funding from Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI).

The project will also improve local capacity to carry out sustainable livelihood activities for reef-dependent communities, assess and share the value of coral reef ecosystem services, and enhance enabling conditions through policy and resource mobilisation.

The economic contribution of coral reefs to tourism is estimated at US$36 billion to the global economy each year. This revenue supports millions of jobs in restaurants, hotels, tour operations, transportation companies, and more. Without spectacular reefs to visit, these tourist numbers would fall sharply and the impact would be devastating.

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and gender issues. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or waykam@yahoo.com.