Hour of darkness shines a light on our precious reefs

26 March 2008

Suva, Fiji. This weekend will see Suva participate in Earth Hour – the global initiative by environmental organisation WWF in which cities around the world switch off their lights for one hour to show their support for action on climate change.

As we countdown to Earth Hour, WWF is calling on governments, business and communities to think about how they can help protect one of the planet's natural treasures most threatened by climate change - coral reefs.

The diverse marine life in Fiji’s waters are adjacent to the scientifically declared Coral Triangle - the world's centre of marine life - a dazzling and diverse region that provides income and livelihoods for millions of coastal people. It supports an extraordinary range of marine life which in turn supports hugely valuable industries such as tourism and fisheries.

Cities in the coral triangle countries of Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines are also switching off for Earth Hour.

Studies have shown that globally coral reefs are disappearing at about 2% a year - around five times faster than the world’s rainforests. They are becoming even more vulnerable in a warming world.

Climate change is recognised as the greatest long-term threat to the coral reefs. Projections show sea and air temperatures will continue to increase, sea level continue rising, the oceans become more acidic, intense storms and rainfall become more frequent and ocean currents will change. Coral bleaching events are likely to increase in severity and frequency as a result of very high sea temperatures.

Fiji experienced a mass coral bleaching event during the 1997/98 El Nino. This saw a large number of coral deaths. In Palau, bleaching during the same period saw their tourism industry lose about USD9m in earnings. With Fiji’s corals being a major tourist attraction, and tourism being Fiji’s highest foreign exchange earner, coral bleaching poses severe problems.

But it is not all doom and gloom. The latest scientific information indicates that keeping global average temperature rise below 2 degrees centigrade will give corals their best chance of survival. So reducing individual, business and national carbon footprints are vital to give reefs their best chance.

“Fiji is part of WWF’s Coral Triangle programme which aims to protect the rich marine life that sustains the coastal communities and national economies of the region. Fiji’s coral reefs and coastal communities are increasingly at risk from the impacts of climate change,”

said Louise Heaps, Conservation Director of WWF South Pacific Programme Office.

“Coral bleaching and increases in extreme weather events would both affect the biodiversity and resource base on which many of our communities depend. It is important that we link the reduction of these impacts with day to day changes that people around the world can make in terms of actively reducing their carbon emissions and consumption.”

She added that,

“Fiji together with Coral Triangle cities, will participate in the Earth Hour global event to showcase the importance of local action to achieve global impact”.

By supporting Earth Hour and addressing energy consumption, individuals and businesses will be helping reduce the green house gas that causes climate change.

When you switch your lights off this weekend, think about the future of this amazing ecosystem and what long term commitments can be made to help protect it.

Editors note:

  • Find more information on the Coral triangle
  • More pictures and maps can be made available upon request
  • Find out more and sign up for Earth Hour

For further information:

Jyotishma Rajan Naicker, Climate Change Campaigner, WWF South Pacific Programme, t +679 331 5533, m +679 941 7127

Ashwini Prabha, Communications Coordinator WWF South Pacific and Earth Hour, t +679 331 5533, m +679 9268 016

Kim Beddoes, Earth Hour event coordinator, t +679 331 5533, m +679 9908 750

Justin Woolford, Communications Cordinator, Coral Triangle Network Initiative, t +41 223649430