Negative Effects of Global Warming on Planet Earth tight. This increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases leads to climate changes observed on a global scale. The warming of the Earth's atmosphere has led to an increase in the water temperature of the oceans and seas. The coral reef ecosystem is very sensitive to the slightest change in temperature. As sea temperatures increase, corals exceed their thermal thresholds and enter a state of stress. When they are stressed, the symbiotic zooxanthellae that live there leave. Zooxanthellae and coral share a symbiotic relationship, meaning they both benefit from each other's presence. When the zooxanthellae leave, they take part of the coral's energy source with them. Also when this expulsion of zooxanthellae occurs, the coral loses its color which gives rise to the term coral bleaching. Coral bleaching does not always cause corals to die, but it does make them more susceptible to disease and UV rays. Global warming also causes ocean acidification, which weakens the structure of corals, making them easy targets for bacteria and disease. The oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, which lowers water pH and reduces the calcification rate of reef-building corals (NOAA). Coral bleaching is a global problem as sea temperatures continue to rise. Reefs along the equator, such as the Belize Barrier Reef, the Florida Reef, the coral reefs of Hawaii and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, are all affected by the phenomenon. Organizations like Coral Watch and Save the Reef have shifted their focus to monitoring and preventing actual die-offs over the next century. Coral reefs are a very sensitive ecosystem. Even the slightest changes in the environment, such as pH shifts and temperature increases, lead to catastrophic events, including coral bleaching. The Belize Barrier Reef and the Great Barrier Reef are two reefs that have experienced the most severe coral bleaching. This is detrimental not only to the fish that rely on coral, but also to the economies of neighboring countries that thrive on various water-related tourist attractions. With the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, this trend only seems to increase if nothing is done to reverse it. Corals may be able to adapt to these stresses over time, but the real solution lies in reducing human carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases. If this is accomplished, perhaps the environment can bounce back and thrive..

Essay / Negative Effects of Global Warming on Planet Earth tight. This increase in the concentration of greenhouse gases leads to climate changes observed on a global scale. The warming of the Earth's atmosphere has led to an increase in the water temperature of the oceans and seas. The coral reef ecosystem is very sensitive to the slightest change in temperature. As sea temperatures increase, corals exceed their thermal thresholds and enter a state of stress. When they are stressed, the symbiotic zooxanthellae that live there leave. Zooxanthellae and coral share a symbiotic relationship, meaning they both benefit from each other's presence. When the zooxanthellae leave, they take part of the coral's energy source with them. Also when this expulsion of zooxanthellae occurs, the coral loses its color which gives rise to the term coral bleaching. Coral bleaching does not always cause corals to die, but it does make them more susceptible to disease and UV rays. Global warming also causes ocean acidification, which weakens the structure of corals, making them easy targets for bacteria and disease. The oceans absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, which lowers water pH and reduces the calcification rate of reef-building corals (NOAA). Coral bleaching is a global problem as sea temperatures continue to rise. Reefs along the equator, such as the Belize Barrier Reef, the Florida Reef, the coral reefs of Hawaii and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, are all affected by the phenomenon. Organizations like Coral Watch and Save the Reef have shifted their focus to monitoring and preventing actual die-offs over the next century. Coral reefs are a very sensitive ecosystem. Even the slightest changes in the environment, such as pH shifts and temperature increases, lead to catastrophic events, including coral bleaching. The Belize Barrier Reef and the Great Barrier Reef are two reefs that have experienced the most severe coral bleaching. This is detrimental not only to the fish that rely on coral, but also to the economies of neighboring countries that thrive on various water-related tourist attractions. With the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, this trend only seems to increase if nothing is done to reverse it. Corals may be able to adapt to these stresses over time, but the real solution lies in reducing human carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases. If this is accomplished, perhaps the environment can bounce back and thrive..

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