A marine scientist at the University of the South Pacific says the latest international climate report shows the decline of coral reefs is like the canary in the coal mine for other ecosystems as the planet warms.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says coral reefs would decline by 70 to 90 percent with global warming of 1.5 degrees, whereas virtually all would be lost with a two degree rise.
The scientist, Stuart Kininmonth, says many Pacific people are dependent on reef fish as their main source of protein.
Dr Kininmoth told Jenny Meyer more needs to be done to protect the sensitive ecosystems from ocean warming, acidification and cyclone damage associated with climate change.
Coral Photo: Wikipedia
