Coral reefs are vitally important for the progression of our society into the future, and for the betterment of all peoples who live near, or is affected by, the sea. Coral reefs provide us with protection from natural disasters, an abundant and diverse amount of food, and an untold amount of new, life saving drugs unknown to science. And that is only scratching the surface of the beneficial uses of coral reefs to humans. Not only are coral reefs beneficial to humans, but also to the abundant amount of life that this precious ecosystem maintains. Coral reef ecosystems have the highest biodiversity of all ecosystems in the world; even rainforests do not contain the vast amounts of species that coral reefs house. Hundreds of thousands of species call this ecosystem home, and many have yet to be discovered.

However, this ecosystem is being threatened by climate change and ocean acidification. About 60% of coral reefs are being threatened today, and by 2050 that number is set to increase to 100% of all reefs worldwide. It is our responsibility, as the most technologically advanced society, to protect and preserve these fascinating and advantageous ecosystems. We must get as many people educated about how climate change is affecting the very way we live, and what they can do about it. The purpose of this petition is not to change or create a new law or enact new regulations, although that would be a beneficial outcome, but to help spread the word of our deteriorating biosphere. Please sign our petition and educate everyone around the world to be smarter about how they interact with the world around them. We have included links to websites and organizations that can help you educate yourself on our planet and learn how you can also help save it. Thank you.

Education:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/places/coral-triangle​

http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/coasts/coral_reefs/coral_threats/​

http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/habitat/coral_index.cfm​

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/coral5.htm​

http://www.coris.noaa.gov/about/hazards/​

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Coral/​

http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/global-ocean-legacy​

http://oceana.org/en

Organizations:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/how-to-help​

http://coral.org/what-you-can-do/​

http://marinebio.org/oceans/marine-conservation-biology/​

http://www.seaweb.org/home.php​

http://www.oceanfutures.org/