2,600 Scientists Sign Landmark Scientific Consensus Statement on the Rapid Decline of The World’s Coral Reefs, Call For Worldwide Effort To Save What’s Left
Press Release
For immediate release: July 9, 2012
CAIRNS, Australia—With coral reefs around the world in rapid decline, it is imperative to make every effort to save what’s left, say the world’s most top marine researchers, who are gathered this week in Australia for the 12th International Coral Reef Symposium.
In an unprecedented move, 2,600 of the world’s top marine researchers released their Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs. The consensus statement calls for a worldwide effort to overcome growing threats to coral ecosystems and to the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on them. It urges measures to head off the escalating damage caused by rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing and pollution from the land.
See: http://www.icrs2012.com/Consensus_Statement.htm
Professor Terry Hughes, Convener of the Symposium and Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies said, “There is a window of opportunity for the world to act on climate change – but it is closing rapidly.” Hughes was joined by three of the world’s leading coral experts at a media briefing at the start of ICRS2012. Please visit www.icrs2012mediaportal.com to view a video of Hughes’ full statements and those of Jeremy Jackson, Senior Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution and the 2012 recipient of the Darwin Medal; Stephen Palumbi, director of Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station; and Robert Richmond, Research Professor, Kewalo Marine Laboratory, University of Hawaii at Manoa and President of the International Society for Reef Studies.
Click to SUPPORT THE CONSENSUS STATEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND CORAL REEFS
