The United Nations held an emergency session at its biodiversity summit this week, raising the alarm over accelerating coral bleaching events threatening marine ecosystems. Scientists warned that reefs could face extinction by 2050 without immediate funding and global climate action. 🌡️🐠
\"This isn't just an environmental issue—it's a food security and economic crisis in the making,\" said Dr. Lina Tanaka, a marine biologist speaking at the summit. Coastal communities from Australia's Great Barrier Reef to Southeast Asia could lose $2.5 trillion in ecosystem services if reefs collapse. 💸🌏
Key proposals include:
Doubling reef protection funding by 2025
Creating rapid-response teams for heatwave events
Expanding coral gene banks (think 'Noah's Ark for sea life')
Young activists blasted delayed action: \"Our generation will inherit these dead reefs if we don't act now,\" said 19-year-old Fiji delegate Anika Vesi. 🔥 The session ended with 63 countries pledging reef-safe tourism reforms—perfect timing as summer travel peaks. 🏖️✈️
Pro tip for travelers: Choose reef-friendly sunscreen! Look for 'oxybenzone-free' labels. 🧴🐙
