Coral reefs at risk. Rotating Earth globe animation showing the coral reefs worldwide that are currently at risk of depletion, and the risk predicted for future years. Coral reefs, large underwater structures produced by tiny polyps, support a diverse range of marine life and are a vital indicator of the health of the oceans. The first sequence shows the current situation in 2012, the second sequence shows the prediction for 2030, and the third sequence shows the prediction for 2050. The coral reefs are colour-coded according to how critical the risk is (key at lower right), ranging from blue (low risk), through yellow, orange and red to black (critical). Coral reefs are shown in the Caribbean, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, around Indonesia and Australia, and in the Pacific. The threat is shown increasing over time, from 75 percent of reefs in 2012 to 90 percent in 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. This model was produced by NOAA's Pacific Services Center. |