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What are the effects of climate change on coral reefs?
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The primary effect of climate change on coral reefs is bleaching. When the ocean water gets too warm, the coral expels algae living in its tissues. Without these algae, the coral turns white, a process known as coral bleaching. This can have a huge impact on the health of coral reefs. 2 Other effects of climate change on coral reefs include increased ocean acidification and sea-level rise. Ocean acidification occurs when the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which lowers the pH of the water and can make it harder for corals and other ocean organisms to build and maintain their skeletons. Sea-level rise, on the other hand, places reefs at greater risk of flooding, which can also lead to coral bleaching. 3 In addition to these direct effects, climate change also increases the frequency of storms and other weather events, which can cause physical damage to reefs. This can weaken corals and make them more susceptible to bleaching and other forms of stress. 4 As climate change continues to impact coral reefs, they will become increasingly vulnerable to further damage from pollutants, fishing, and other human activities. Therefore, it is important to reduce our carbon footprint and take steps to mitigate the effects of climate change on coral reefs.