This post is part of our participation in Blog Action Day 2010, which is on the topic of Water.

A recent report out by the Institute of Physics (IOP) finds that weak global climate change targets are likely to result in all coral reefs dying off by 2100.

The great importance of this matter is, in my opinion, one of the hardest things to convey to people.

Coral reefs are not just pretty things to visit and admire if you have the chance. They are a major source of life on our planet.

Coral Reefs — More Valuable than You Think

Coral reefs “protect coastal areas from severe hurricanes and storms, and generate 27 times more income than global fisheries,” and they are a source of food for over 1 billion people. 50% of current cancer research is based on chemical compounds from species found on coral reefs.

Ocean Acidification

If you’re not familiar with ocean acidification, it is a huge topic perhaps as important as or even more important than global warming. Dramatic increases in CO2 are warming our planet, but they are also acidifying our oceans. Greater ocean acidity is a great threat to corals, other marine life, and all the food chains that rely on them.

The following is one of the best videos on any subject I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend watching it.

How Many People Could Survive the Collapse of Coral Reefs?

“This is a global crisis. We all receive direct or indirect benefits from healthy coral reef ecosystems,” says Rick MacPherson, Conservation Programs Director at the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL).

“If coral reefs collapse, the life support system of many nations collapse as well. What we potentially face is a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportion.”

This is a critical topic. And again, just like with limiting the effects of global warming, we need to take action now to cut our carbon, especially by switching to clean energy, using green transportation, and eating vegetarian or vegan.

Related Stories:

1) Climate Projections are Not Safe

2) Massive Coral Die-Off From Spike in Ocean Temperatures off Coast of Indonesia

3) World’s Marine Plankton in Peril – 40% Decline Since 1950

Photo Credit: thinkpanama