Earth's coral reefs could be gone by 2100, research finds

[NickB79]

Source: NBC News

"By 2100, it's looking quite grim," Renee Setter, a biogeographer at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, said in a statement. She presented her findings at the annual Ocean Sciences Meeting, which is being held through Friday in San Diego.

Setter and her colleagues simulated ocean environments in which coral reefs currently exist based on projections of sea surface temperature, ocean acidification, wave energy, pollution and fishing practices. They found that by 2100, few to zero suitable habitats for corals are likely to remain.

"Honestly, most sites are out," she said in the statement.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1138151

[lapfog_1]

1. I've telling my younger nieces and nephews

that if they want a quality diving experience... they need to go to the oceans now.

And I've been telling them that for nearly 20 years now. Really many reef systems look absolutely horrible even today. I think the 2100 date is too optimistic.

[NurseJackie]

2. Things would be different if Hillary hadn't been kneecapped.

You know, by the Russians.

[ehrnst]

4. Yes... those distant Russians...

[NurseJackie]

3. Statistically speaking... I'll be dead by then.

But I grieve for our planet and for what my adopted grandson will have to live with. In some ways I resent being old... and all that I'll miss out on. But in other ways, I'm kinda relieved that I won't have to be around.

(PS: FUCK ANYONE WHO EVER AGAIN TRIES TO SHAME MY FAMILY, MY SON AND SON-IN-LAW FOR FOSTERING THEN ADOPTING AN AT-RISK ADDICTED AT BIRTH INFANT.)

[George II]

5. You should be proud of your son and son in law for doing such a wonderful thing.....

To be honest I don't know that I could do something like that (or would do it when I was younger, I'm 72 now). To take on such a job is great, and better than giving away thousands of dollars to good causes. You done good raising that kid!!!

[NurseJackie]

6. Thank you.

That was a cruel personal attack that cut so deeply. I'll never forget it.

[mr_lebowski]

9. Addicted to what, if I may ask?

What kind of jerk would shame someone for something like that. HERE?!?

[NurseJackie]

11. ...

Opioids. And... I do not know what that person's motivation was for being a jerk.

[mr_lebowski]

13. Well, to be fair, the baby was not really born addicted ... they just suffered physical withdrawals

Upon birth. The child didn't choose to take the opioids, therefore, they can't really be called an addict. Just my take I suppose ...

Anyways, opioids are remarkably non-toxic to the body, so there's a great chance the child would start out life feeling horrible, but recover fully within about a week, and be a 100% fine perfect normal baby (and eventual human).

I'd say that early exposure likely increases the probability a bit that they could become addicted to opioids later, should they start messing with them recreationally, but apart from that ...

I'm assuming that the mother was doing pure opioids like heroin, oxy, methadone, buprenorphine, dilaudid, or opana, as opposed to tylenol-laden vicodin or percocet formulations. I'm less certain in that case that there wouldn't be a potential for direct health problems (liver troubles IOW).

Anyways, that's a great thing your son and hubby did, wonderful stuff. Give them my best!

[NurseJackie]

17. Okay, thanks.

[Me.]

18. Why On Earth Would THey?

[YOHABLO]

7. Always look on the bright side, at least Trump will be long gone.

[Nitram]

8. I'm still hoping they can move into colder waters. Perhaps we can help seed such a move.

I grew up snorkeling on Caribbean coral reefs, and have dived on reefs in the Red Sea, Thailand, the Philippines, the Islands south of Okinawa, and Australia's Great Barrier Reef. I would hate to see this amazing ecosystem disappear.

[cstanleytech]

10. They are pretty hardy as they survived through many other major Extinction events

such as the great die off about 252 million years ago which wiped out most other species.
That is why I suspect they can weather it and make a comeback once our species eventually does go extinct be it in 100 years or a million.

[NickB79]

12. It's mostly the speed of change occurring that prevents adaptation

Even the Permian extinction took place over tens of thousands of years, vs a few hundred like we're currently causing. Species can't respond that quickly.

[mr_lebowski]

14. Only like bacteria and viruses and roaches and other pestilent species can (nt)

[cstanleytech]

15. Sure most of the surface ones will likely perish but the odds are atleast some will survive it and

even if none do there are the deep ocean ones near varies volcanic vents and since they are adapted for extreme environments most likely their species will evolve to take the place of the current corals.
Why? Because life is pretty resourceful on this planet and in spite of our species screw ups it will in time be renew itself.

[Nitram]

16. There actually was an extremely fast extinction event when that meteor hit the Yucatan at the end of

the Permian. The firestorm, tsunamis and nuclear winter killed off 90% of all species on Earth. It also allowed the mammals to rise and speciate into every niche imaginable.