Coral reefs are important ecosystems that provide food and habitat for many species, but over 50% of coral reefs are now dead due to pollution, plastic waste, and global warming. Chemicals, garbage, and greenhouse gas emissions from human activities are raising ocean temperatures and acidity, causing widespread bleaching and death of coral reefs. If degradation of coral reefs continues, it will have severe environmental and economic consequences for coastal communities that rely on reef ecosystems.

1. Coral Reefs: The
Canaries in the Coal
Mine?
By: Kate P. & Harrison W.

2. Coral reefs are fish nurseries.

3. Over 50% of us depend on coral
reefs for food.

4. This seal was killed
by plastic.

5. Turtles too.
 1998, 110 loggerhead
turtles washed ashore.
57% of them dead from
plastic.

7. So what is
killing our coral
reefs?
WE ARE.
FROM THIS
TO THIS

10. Now, 26% are dead.

11. The garbage and chemicals we are
pouring into the ocean are killing us
too.

12. Pollution and global
warming are harming them
too.

13. Global warming is bleaching coral and
is responsible for most of the damage to
the Caribbean reefs.
Damaged Caribbean
reef.

20. If your friend’s
house is just
around the corner,
walk. Car exhaust
contributes to
global warming
and coral
bleaching.

21. Thank You