With ocean temperatures on the rise due to climate change, marine life, including vital coral reefs, is facing devastation. In Thailand, fishing communities are feeling the impact as they witness a decline in their catch due to diminishing fish populations.
Chao Lau Beach in Thailand, once a bustling fishing spot, now paints a grim picture beneath its beautiful waters. A local fisherman, who used to earn up to 10,000 baht (276 USD) a day, now struggles to make even a fifth of that amount. The coral reefs, which were once teeming with life, are now dying off, leading to the disappearance of marine animals that rely on them for survival.
The coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand are already experiencing significant bleaching, with approximately 50% affected, according to Thai government scientists. This bleaching is primarily caused by the rising temperatures of the seawater, a direct consequence of global warming.
Scientists warn that the term 'global warming' may not fully capture the severity of the situation, suggesting 'global boiling' as a more fitting description. As the Earth's atmosphere heats up, so do the oceans, putting immense stress on coral reefs. The heat causes the corals to lose their algae and pigment, leaving behind a colorless and lifeless underwater landscape.
Unless urgent action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, experts predict that up to 90% of living corals could disappear by 2050. This looming threat not only endangers the reefs themselves but also jeopardizes the marine life they support and the livelihoods of fishermen who depend on them for sustenance.
