Coral Reefs are Dying Because of Climate Change

[rangerrebew]

Coral Reefs are Dying Because of Climate Change
Pro: Coral Reefs are Dying
From The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

Climate change is the greatest global threat to coral reef ecosystems.  Scientific evidence now clearly indicates that the Earth’s atmosphere and ocean are warming, and that these changes are primarily due to greenhouse gases derived from human activities.

As temperatures rise, mass coral bleaching events … are becoming more frequent.  Additionally, carbon dioxide absorbed into the ocean from the atmosphere has already begun to reduce calcification rates in reef-building and reef-associated organisms by altering seawater chemistry through decreases in pH.  This process is called ocean acidification.

Climate change will affect coral reef ecosystems, through sea level rise, changes to the frequency and intensity of tropical storms, and altered ocean circulation patterns.  When combined, all of these impacts dramatically … [harm coral reef] ecosystems … around the globe.

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coralreef-climate.html

Con: Coral Reefs are Thriving

https://wattsupwiththat.com/coral-reefs-are-dying-because-of-climate-change/

[Smokin Joe]

Gee. When I was taking courses in Oceanography and Marine Geology, we were told the reason Atolls exist is that coral reefs forming on the areas offshore of the volcanic islands continued to grow as sea levels rose, post Ice Age, and they survived when the water levels dropped during the ice age by populating deeper water as water levels went down. In short, the critters (as a group) adapted, even though the ones caught out of water or in water too deep died.

If sea level isn't the killer (and it wasn't in the past), how is climate change killing the coral off? Even the Crown of Thorns Starfish couldn't do that (despite being predicted decades ago to be the end of the Great Barrier Reef).

[catfish1957]

[Idiot]

I say BS on this.  A good friend just returned from the Great Barrier Reef off of Australia.  He said this reef has never been more healthy.  His guides said the environmental groups are just spreading lies.