FROM THE FIELD: Saving corals in crisis

Coral reefs are in grave peril, and the consequences of their extinction could be catastrophic. They support more than a quarter of all marine life, but 90 per cent could disappear by 2050, largely as a result of climate change.

The Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR), backed by UN agencies, aims to provide stronger protection for the world’s reefs, which currently rank very low on most development banks’ lists of climate finance priorities.

The fund is working in six priority countries, including Fiji, where the UN is aiming to promote businesses that will develop the economy without causing further harm to the coral.

Despite the dire warnings that coral reefs risk being wiped out, there is hope that the grim situation can be turned around.

You can find out more about the GFCR-supported projects, and see a selection of stunning photos, here.

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