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Dear Ove,<br>
<br>
We were presenters at the conference in Bali (A9: sea level and A17:
proxy records) and we attended the debate that you hosted on coral reefs
and climate change. We would like to thank you for organising the debate
and would also like to follow up on the response to the question “Does
climate change represent a risk to coral reefs? If so, what are the three
most worrying variables).<br>
<br>
The three most worrying variables were recorded during the debate as
temperature rise, CO<font size=1><sub>2</sub></font> rise and sea level
rise. We fully agree that temperature rise and
CO<font size=1><sub>2</sub></font> rise are serious and potentially
devastating threats to the future of coral reefs, however we firmly
believe that sea level rise is not a threat to coral reefs. Geological
evidence in fact suggests quite the opposite, and under the currently
projected rates of future sea level rise coral reefs around the world
should easily be able to keep pace with sea level rise and would most
likely flourish in the new “accommodation space” provided for reef
growth. An example can be observed on Heron Island, where the
construction of a weir resulted in an artificial and immediate sea level
rise on the order of metres and has been accompanied by a marked increase
in coral reef growth. Of course, given the stresses on reefs by other
factors their ability to respond to rising sea level may not be as great
as that preserved in the geological record, however it is these other
factors which need to be addressed as the threats to the future of coral
reefs and not sea level rise. During the debate the aspect of the future
of island nations was used as reason to keep sea level rise on the list
of worrying variables. The vulnerability of many nations to sea level
rise is undisputable and a very serious concern in climate change
debates, however the question being dealt with in this debate is the
threats to coral reefs. Our fear is that if a statement is sent out from
the scientists of the 9ICRS saying that sea level rise is a threat to the
future of coral reefs then this will undermine the scientific merit of
the rest of the statement and may threaten what this debate was meant to
achieve: a call to action to help save the coral reefs of the
world.<br>
<br>
We would like to suggest that sea level rise be replace with “other
anthropogenic stresses” and that this include factors such as
over-exploitation, land use practises, pollution and even global
population growth. Not only do we believe that these factors are a much
more serious and immediate threat to the future of coral reefs than sea
level rise, but this also provides a number of management avenues which
are not available with the list as it currently stands. Temperature rise,
CO<font size=1><sub>2</sub></font> rise (and also sea level rise) are
issues which need to be dealt with globally and over very long time
frames. Many anthropogenic stresses can be dealt with locally and have
solutions which can be implemented in relatively short periods of time.
We would like to suggest that the statement that is given by the
scientists from 9ICRS lists the three most worrying risks to corals reefs
as 1) temperature rise, 2) CO<font size=1><sub>2</sub></font> rise and 3)
other anthropogenic stresses, and that it highlights the need for both
local and global action over a range of time scales from immediate to
long term.<br>
<br>
We would also like to follow up on the suggestion that the questions
dealt with at the debate should be posted on the coral list. We think
that this is an excellent idea and would allow for a broader cross
section of scientists to contribute valuable ideas and perspectives to
this important statement. Thank you again for organising the debate and I
hope that it will result in strong statement which inspires people
throughout the world to help to preserve the world’s coral reefs.<br>
<br>
Sincerely<br>
Nerilie Abram and Helen McGregor <br>
<br>
*************************************************<br>
PhD research students<br>
Research School of Earth Sciences<br>
The Australian National University<br>
Canberra 0200 Australia<br>
<br>
Ph <x-tab> </x-tab>+61 2 6249 5177
<x-tab> </x-tab><br>
Ph<x-tab> </x-tab>+61 2 6249
3407<br>
Fax <x-tab> </x-tab>+61 2 6249 3683<br>
<br>
<font color="#0000FF"><u>nerilie.abram@anu.edu.au<br>
helen.mcgregor@anu.edu.au<br>
<br>
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