Genetics Could Protect Coral Reefs from Global Warming
A Columbia study provides a blueprint for the use of genomics to help combat climate change.
coral reefs Archives - State of the Planet
Scientists Work to Build Climate Change Resilience in Caribbean Coral Reef
A team from Columbia’s Earth Institute is helping to research and design adaptation strategies to help save the world’s second largest barrier reef.
Dying Reefs Bigger Threat to Coasts Than Rising Seas, Study Says
If coral reefs continue to degrade, waves on coastlines may substantially increase, leading to greater coastal erosion.
Bleach Patrol: Turning Surfers into Scientists to Help Coral Reefs
With coral bleaching spreading, a new project and app called Bleach Patrol is putting surfers, divers and snorkelers to work as citizen scientists, keeping an eye on the world’s coral reefs.
#100. Taking a Fresh Look at Five Issues
This is the 100th blog I’ve written for the State of the Planet. It seemed like a good occasion to take a look at my five most popular blogs to see what has changed in the years since they were written. Is the news better or worse for seawater greenhouses, plastic pollution, turning wastewater into drinking water, coral reefs and rare earth metals?
Can We Save Coral Reefs?
We are losing coral reefs at an alarming rate and scientists believe that with business as usual they will likely be gone by the end of the century. However, better local management, coupled with new research on coral reef resilience and adaptability, may help buy some time for these indispensable ecosystems.
Corals and Climate Change
Corals are already facing a host of stressors—from pollution and overfishing to tourism and coastal development—but climate change puts corals at risk from rising temperatures and ocean acidification. The decline of coral reefs will have devastating consequences for the ocean, and for us.
Chemical silence
What if you couldn’t smell smoke?
Or detect flirty signs from a bloke?
Imagine the cost
Of faculties lost,
Of signals that deafness would cloak …
Exploring Ecology and History in Bermuda
I learned about the coral reef ecology course in Bermuda offered through the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability (EICES) at Columbia University after developing an interest in marine science over the past year. My background is in newspaper journalism, but I’m now a communications professional at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), devoted to promoting the great work of our scientists around the globe, including those in marine conservation. My supervisors and peers encouraged me to seize the opportunity to take the class since continuing education is something that’s valued at WCS.
Coral Reef Ecology: Bermuda – Spring Break Course
Bermuda is a world leader in marine conservation and the perfect place to experience the wonder of coral reefs. Let the Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability (EICES) and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) be your guides to the world of corals through lectures, labs, and fieldwork.