Amid Climate Change Challenges, Egypt’s Corals Demonstrate Surprising Resilience, Biologist Says

Decades of research have unequivocally linked climate change to the excessive use of fossil fuels and industrial emissions. The consequence is a notable rise in greenhouse – the most important of which is carbon dioxide. As its levels and those of other culprits rose, so did the planet’s temperature, and as a result, a silent extinction of marine wildlife looms over the distance.

Preserving marine life is a pressing concern that impacts marine ecosystems and human society globally. With oceans spanning over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, they host a vast diversity of species, ranging from microscopic plankton to colossal whales. Marine life serves as a crucial regulator of the planet’s climate, offering sustenance and livelihoods for millions worldwide while also underpinning various industries.

Egypt is rich in marine wildlife, with 1000 species of fish, 800 species of marine molluscs, 1000 species of crustaceans, and more than 325 species of coral reefs.

“The rise in seawater temperature represents a critical challenge. Coral reefs, Earth’s most diverse ecosystems are particularly vulnerable.” Mahmoud Hanafy, a professor of marine biology at the Suez Canal University, tells Egyptian Streets.