“2020 may end up the hottest year on record,” Ciara Nugent, a writer for Time, remarked. With wildfires ravaging parts of the world for months and temperatures rocketing by the year, it is blatantly obvious the Earth’s climate is the worst it has ever been. The level of greenhouse gases (such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane to name a few) has surged due to the effects of increased agriculture, waste disposal, and production of synthetic materials; the “greenhouse effect” has been hammering this planet more than ever.

According to NASA, the greenhouse effect occurs when the sun’s heat projects onto Earth, then gets absorbed and radiated back, warming the planet. Greenhouse gases tend to absorb much of this heat and radiate it in all directions, causing temperatures to rise much higher than they should. A global temperature increase by even a few degrees Celsius has harrowing effects by bringing down glaciers and Arctic homes, causing unprecedented natural disasters to occur more often and stronger than before, and creating intense shifts in weather patterns as observed last year. Moreover, NASA speculates that these disasters may worsen in the years to come. The oceans are getting warmer as well, clearly not a good sign for the abundance of life in the waters. While many species are being harmed by the effects of climate change, our oceans’ coral reefs are getting some of the worst of it.

When the topic of climate change comes up, coral is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. However, these peculiar sea creatures are actually very important to both wildlife and humans, whether we realize it or not. “Coral reefs are not just beautiful, brightly coloured backgrounds for serene snorkelling experiences — they are vital to life on earth,” the Australian Marine Conservation Society says. “At least a quarter of the world’s marine life needs coral reefs.”

However, despite the necessity of their presence on earth, these sea creatures are disappearing. Fast. “A warming planet means a warming ocean, and a change in water temperature — at least two degrees Fahrenheit — can cause coral to drive out algae,” the World Wildlife Fund organization (WWF) states. This process is called coral bleaching, and it is quickly spreading to coral reefs worldwide. The WWF explains that there is a type of algae that lives in coral called “zooxanthellae.” These algae and coral reefs share a “mutually beneficial relationship,” which means that the two species help each other survive in the waters. However, when ocean temperatures get too warm for these sea dwellers, the coral stress out and eject the algae from them and turn white, hence the term “bleaching.” Algae ejected from the coral’s tissue often die, and according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “coral can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality.” As a result, we have lost about 50% of the earth’s coral and may lose 90% of what’s left, according to SECORE International.

Seafood, whether it be shrimp, fish, lobster, or even less common creatures such as octopus or squid, is of great importance to billions of people worldwide. But did you know that most of these creatures depend on coral reefs to survive? “Reefs provide shelter to hundreds of species, including newly hatched commercial fish. [...] Half of all U.S. fisheries depend on healthy coral reefs,” the NOAA states. But these fascinating creatures do a lot more than supporting fisheries. They also create storm barriers, breaking incoming waves and essentially protecting human lives across coastal areas. By supporting so many underwater species, coral reefs provide the basis for jobs in the fishing and food industries, as well as being worth millions of dollars in the tourism and recreation industries, according to the NOAA.Without this one species on earth, our lives could become a whole lot different.

While the loss of coral reefs is just one way Earth has been affected by climate change, the impact could be much worse if global warming continues. Yet, despite the rising temperatures, there is still hope to turn the tables on climate change. With a newly-inaugurated president who understands and intends to act against the rise of climate change, there is a chance that the U.S. could help contribute to the better health of the Earth. As individuals, there are actions we can take to support this cause. Small measures such as recycling, saving electricity, or even just turning off the tap while brushing teeth are a huge step in the right direction. A simple search on the internet pulls up countless websites that list ways for individuals to protect the Earth and its inhabitants. In the words of former U.S. President Barack Obama, “We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it.” So, let’s finally do something about it.