[Coral-List] CO2 risks for coral reefs warrant an ambitious climate treaty

[Jean-Pierre Gattuso]

Hi Coral-Listers,

I disagree with Eugene Shinn's point of view. Although the situation for 
coral reefs will be bad even with RCP2.6, the high mitigation scenario 
compatible with the Copenhagen Accord of limiting the global increase in 
temperature to 2°C compared to preindustrial. However, it will be 
considerably worse with RCP8.5, the business-as-usual scenario, not only 
for coral reefs but for other ecosystems as well. Hence, although the 
future of coral reefs is grim indeed, decisions taken at COP21 in Paris 
can make a big difference.

More information in this Science review article:
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/349/6243/aac4722

Access to free pdf here:
http://www.obs-vlfr.fr/~gattuso/science_reprint.php


On 21 Aug 2015, at 18:00, coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov wrote:

> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2015 14:45:00 -0400
> From: Eugene Shinn <eugeneshinn at mail.usf.edu>
> Subject: [Coral-List] Co2 risks for coral reefs
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID: <55D6202C.7020608 at mail.usf.edu>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
>
> Peter I agree, As you know. and pretty much say in your post, If we 
> stop
> CO2 emissions tomorrow it will stay in the atmosphere (but likely at
> slightly reduced levels) to the end of the century. If Co2 really is
> killing corals then they will be gone anyway. Like it or not we are
> pretty much stuck with fossil fuels for the next several decades
> regardless any decisions made in Copenhagen. Best thing we can do is
> continue to manage what we have now. Gene


----
Jean-Pierre Gattuso | http://www.obs-vlfr.fr/~gattuso