Success: Endangered Corals and Reef Habitats Protected

Target: Kierán Suckling, Executive Director for the Center for Biological Diversity

Goal: Support habitat protections for over 6,000 miles of at-risk coral reefs.

America’s coral reefs are in more danger by the day. For example, only around two percent of native corals near Florida currently remain. This ForceChange petition called on the U.S. government to protect these vital endangered organisms. After years of struggle, coral reefs in two major marine regions will finally receive safeguards that may shield them from extinction.

Ocean warming and acidification caused by climate change, as well as pollution and excessive fishing, have seriously hindered the growth ability of twelve coral species such as pillar coral and star coral. The new habitat protections would cover endangered Caribbean coral reefs around Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional protections for Pacific coral would also be enacted.

Sign the petition below to commend important environmental protections that are a long time coming.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Suckling,

Your advocacy for the world’s critically endangered coral has helped make a big win possible. The protections that will soon be given to Caribbean and Pacific coral reefs will in large part take place because you sued and continually fought for these vital safeguards. Now, countless coral species can truly begin their road to hopeful recovery.

Thank you for recognizing and reaffirming the natural beauty and immense importance of coral reefs to this planet.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Kyle Taylor