Image credits : Global Fund For Coral Reefs
As the threat of losing 90 per cent of the world’s coral reefs by 2050 approaches, initiatives announced at the COP28 climate conference signal a collective effort to reverse this alarming trend. The demise of coral ecosystems, with half already disappeared, is prompting a call to action.
Off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, an innovative approach to coral restoration is taking place. Archireef, a Hong Kong-based startup founded by marine biologist Vriko Yu and coral ecologist David Baker, is using 3D-printed terracotta clay tiles to revive endangered coral reefs. The tiles, customized and strategically placed on the seafloor, aim to transform barren underwater landscapes into a more conducive environment for coral growth.
According to Dr. Baker, corals require a hard bottom, clean water, and sunlight. Archireef claims a promising 95 per cent survival rate for baby corals with its method, a significant improvement over other small-scale reef rehabilitation approaches. The startup has successfully seeded approximately 500 square meters in both the UAE and Hong Kong.
The global picture is dire, with tourism development, industrial activities, dredging, and bleaching events threatening coral reefs worldwide. In the UAE alone, a 2021 government report reveals that over 40 per cent of corals in territorial waters face regional extinction, a number that could be even higher due to limited available data.
At COP28, a breakthrough initiative was launched to address the critical funding gap for reef research and protection. The 2030 Coral Breakthrough, led by the Climate Champions team, commits nations with the majority of the world’s coral reefs to double the protected area by the end of the decade. The initiative also aims to secure $12 billion in public and private investments, accelerate solutions for 30 per cent of degraded reefs by 2030, and address drivers of loss such as pollution, coastal development, and overfishing.
The Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and the International Coral Reef Initiative spearhead the 2030 Coral Breakthrough. GFCR has mobilized an initial $200 million towards the ambitious goals. Ignace Beguin Billecocq, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions Ocean Lead, emphasized the need to transform the funding landscape for coral reefs and attract investments at scale.
Coral reefs, which harbour approximately 25 per cent of ocean biodiversity, provide livelihoods for around one billion people globally. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that the degradation of reefs could directly impact the livelihoods of 4.5 million people in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean region alone.
Carlos Duarte, executive director of the Coral Research & Development Accelerator Platform, stresses the underestimated role of the ocean in climate discussions. Duarte advocates for pragmatic, science-based solutions that can be applied universally, urging increased financing for coral research and technology to address the critical challenges faced by these vital ecosystems.
While the narrative of coral decline is tragic, initiatives like the 2030 Coral Breakthrough provide a glimmer of hope for the future of coral reefs, demonstrating a global commitment to preserving these crucial ecosystems.