Ocean acidification (pH drops due to the absorbing of carbon dioxide) is being caused by Climate Change. Due to Climate change, sea levels are rising, frequency/intensity is being changed, and the ocean circulation is all over the place. Coral reefs generate calcium carbonate which by ocean acidification is slowed down. What this does is it then slows down the rate of which coral skeletons grow and repair. As you can see, ocean acidification has a negative effect on the reefs. Let’s discuss coral bleaching in simple terms. We know Coral reefs to be vibrant and colorful because of the algae that live in them. When water temperatures rise too high (due to ocean acidification), the algae exits the coral. This results loss of color and them possibly dying. Most of this is all caused by humans. We are the ones that are increasing things like deforestation, burning of fossil fuels for heat and energy which released increased around of greenhouse gases that then goes back to Ocean acidification.

I agree that humans are the primary cause of coral bleaching and increased ocean acidification. Something to consider is how basic things that we incorporate into our lives such as how we generate electricity and emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere can relate to our heavy impact on nature. It is also difficult to reverse an issue like coral bleaching because how climate change has been an existing issue for centuries. As many people are contributing to coral bleaching, it is possible to restore our coral reefs in the near future if people collectively make an effort to lessen climate change. The solution to preventing further damage to coral reefs can look like spreading awareness to those who have large impacts on climate change, and this goes for all global issues that are caused by climate change.