Ocean’s high temperature affects fish shelters around the world

admin 2018年5月10日

Vocabulary:

heat stress /heet stres/

[noun] exposure to extreme heat
Heat stress could lead to several illnesses like heat stroke and dehydration.

coral reef /KAWR-uhl REEF/

[noun] an area formed in the sea from masses of hard shells
When the tide is low, you can see coral reefs from the island.

incubator /IN-kyuh-bey-ter/

[noun] a place that provides the right conditions for young species or eggs
Sandy beaches serve as the incubator of newly hatched turtle eggs.

looming /LOO-ming/

[adjective] something unpleasant that is about to happen
The government is denying that an economic collapse is looming.

stick (one’s) head in the sand /stik hed in thu sand/

[idiomatic expression] to try to avoid a particular situation by pretending that it does not exist
You’ll have to face your problems – don’t just stick your head in the sand.

Scientists believe that the heat stress has harmed more than one-third of Earth’s coral reefs. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has suffered the greatest damage. One of the biggest factors is the most damaging El Niño, a result of climate change, which occurred in 2015. Corals serve as incubators to marine species. They also provide food and shelter to different kinds of fish. Coral reefs take centuries to form but can be damaged in just a few months.

There are approximately 30 million small scale fishermen who rely on fishing as their means of living. In some countries, fish supported by the reefs provide the primary source of protein. They also feed a billion people worldwide. According to Professor Justin Marshall, a reef ecologist and runner of CoralWatch, “[t]his is a huge, looming planetary crisis, and we are sticking our heads in the sand about it.”

True or False:

Corals serve as incubators to marine species.
Corals cause deprivation of food and shelter to marine species.
Almost 30 million fishermen rely on fishing for their means of living.
Corals, which take centuries to form, can be destroyed in weeks.
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia suffered the greatest damage.

Discussion Questions:

How important are fishes in Japanese cuisine?
Do you think that marine species are in danger? Why or why not?
Aside from coral damage and bleaching, what are the other effects of climate change? Discuss.
Do you agree that human beings caused climate change? Why or why not?
In your opinion, what will happen to the oceans in 100 years? Please elaborate.

Express Your Opinion:

“We have to face the reality of climate change. It is arguably the biggest threat we are facing today.” – William Hague
“Global warming isn’t a prediction. It is happening.” – James Hansen
“We don’t have to sacrifice a strong economy for a healthy environment.” – Dennis Weaver