This year is the International Year of the Reef; IYOR 2008. For this reason, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef studies has published a series of lectures from the world’s leading coral scientists!

Take a look at their website, where people such as Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg talk about climate change and coral reefs. The message is clear; the tides have to be turned when it comes to burning of fossil fuels! We NEED the coral reefs;

Ecology: 

- coral reefs provide a habitat for a staggering amount of fish and invertebrate species

Society and economy:

- many people are dependent on the coral reefs worldwide (fishing, ecotourism and ornamental trade)

- the Great Barrier Reef alone yielded an estimated gross of 10 billion USD in 2004, mainly from ecotourism

Geology:

- Coral reefs worldwide protect the coastline of 109 countries (think of the 2004 tsunami!)

Have a look at the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef studies website, and watch a video now, or have a look at a list of many presentations.