Advancing Global Coral Resilience

 

Our Mission

Support groundbreaking research on the Red Sea’s uniquely resilient corals and promote regional and global collaboration to advance coral science and conservation.

Why is the Red Sea’s reef unique?

It is one of the longest continuous living reefs in the world, extending along 4,000 kilometers of the Red Sea’s shoreline. Scientists estimate that by mid-century approximately 90% of the world’s coral reefs will be severely degraded because they cannot survive in the warming waters of the world’s oceans. But the northern Red Sea’s corals are thriving even as the ocean’s temperature continues to rise. In fact, these corals are predicted to be among the last to survive the coming decades. This uniquely resilient reef ecosystem may emerge as one of the planet’s largest marine refuges from climate change.

Red Sea topographic map-en.jpg
By Eric Gaba (Sting - fr:Sting) - Own work (see complete description on Image:Red_Sea_topographic_map-en.svg), CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Why you should care about Coral Reefs?

ECONOMIC VALUE

Coral reefs add $36 billion annually to the global economy through tourism, jobs, and fisheries. We literally can’t afford not to protect them!

BIODIVERSITY

Coral reefs are a hub of biodiversity and life. Scientists estimate that reefs support about 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals and literally millions of other species!

drugs and medicines

In the age of COVID-19 we have seen more than ever the importance of vaccines and medical research. Did you know that coral reefs are a huge source of potential natural products and medicines?

COASTAL RESILIENCY

Coral reefs act as natural buffers, protecting shorelines from waves, floods, and storms, preventing loss of life, property damage, and erosion. It is estimated that 1/3 of all humans live within 60 miles of the sea. As climate change creates more severe storms and the global population continues to increase, we will need these natural barriers more than ever.

cultural importance

Last but certainly not least, coral reefs are intrinsically woven into the cultures and traditions of countless communities across the globe. Aside from the numerous reasons coral reefs matter in terms of their value to humanity, they also are just amazing in their own right! Anyone who has had the chance to strap on a pair of goggles and explore a reef understands the incredible beauty and wonder that lives under the waves. Coral reefs are crucially important to humanity in so many ways–we owe it to ourselves and to future generations to do everything in our power to protect them from localized threats and from climate change.

Mailing Address

Red Sea reef Foundation
90 Wall Street
Suite 1831
New York, NY 10005

Want to make a Donation?

Thanks for supporting the study and conservation of a unique global resource!