Coral crisis – Rising temperatures threaten Brazil’s reefs and food security across the Global South

Article by Viory.Video

Marine biologist Rodrigo Leao de Moura, a professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), warned that the coral reefs of Brazil’s Abrolhos Archipelago are becoming increasingly vulnerable as global temperatures rise.

Footage shows a diver exploring the waters of the volcanic archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, which is home to more than 500 species living among its coral reefs, mangroves and oceanic islands.

De Moura said climate change is placing growing pressure on marine ecosystems not only in Brazil but across the Global South, where many communities rely on healthy reefs for food security and local livelihoods.

“We have Indonesia, we have the Philippines, and a number of countries in the Global South whose subsistence economy and food security are closely linked to the health of the reefs,” he said.

Environmentalist Ricardo Gomes identified marine heatwaves as one of the most serious threats facing coral reefs. He warned that rising sea temperatures can trigger mass coral bleaching events.

“When a very intense El Nino event occurs in the Pacific, its effects are also felt here. That is when the major coral bleaching episodes occur. These are years when the water temperature reaches 30 or 31 degrees and becomes excessively warm,” he said.

Scientists say coral bleaching occurs when prolonged periods of unusually warm water force corals to expel the algae that provide them with energy and colour. If temperatures remain high, entire reef systems can die.

The impact extends far beyond marine life. Coral reefs serve as natural coastal defences, helping to absorb the force of waves and storm surges. As reefs deteriorate, communities along the coast face greater risks from flooding, erosion and increasingly powerful storms.

Article and Video by Viory.Video

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