Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs: Effects on Locals

“Coral Reefs are dying due to climate change and undeveloped countries are suffering"

Hard Coral in San Salvador Bahamas taken by Madi Eldridge.

Climate change has become an important topic in the past few years due to it affecting the environment we live in. To individuals who live in developed countries this change in environment has not affected them as much. But for those who live in undeveloped locations, the environmental change can be life-changing. Climate change affects those in undeveloped locations more because they usually rely on the ocean for food and income. Most of their food comes from fish on coral reefs and income comes from tourists coming from all over to see the beautiful coral reefs.

What's Happening to Coral Reefs?

Coral in San Salvador Bahamas taken by Madi Eldridge.

Coral Reefs around the world are declining due to climate change and in turn, is directly affecting people who rely on them. Climate change is causing the ocean to absorb 90 percent of the heat on Earth, which causes marine heatwaves and ocean acidification as seen in research done by the United Nations. Ocean heatwaves are an increase in water temperatures for some time and ocean acidification is the absorption of carbon dioxide which lowers the water’s pH. Increasing temperatures in the ocean doesn’t seem that important until one looks at how picky marine organisms such as coral reefs are. Since climate change is causing the ocean to change in temperature, salinity, and pH the coral are having a difficult time adapting to it. Therefore, coral is becoming stressed and this causes symbionts to leave the coral and cause it to bleach. These bleaching events can lead to coral dyeing and could lead to a large part of the coral reef being affected by the bleaching event. Bleaching events can last for a short or long period depending on how resilient the reefs are.

What does this mean for locals?

Coral in San Salvador Bahamas taken by Madi Eldridge.

Coral Bleaching is the main reason why undeveloped locations are taking a hit on income and food. An example of these undeveloped locations is San Salvador Island an island in the Bahamas. San Salvador Island is a smaller island that has one resort and the Gerace Research Center and in recent years has become home to a few beach homes. I was lucky enough to spend two weeks on San Salvador Island staying at the Gerace Research Center and was able to explore different coral reefs around the island. While on the island we spend some time talking to locals about their day-to-day lives and how the coral reefs affect them. Many of the locals have never actually seen the coral reefs in the way that tourists and students have but they explained how the reefs still affect them. One of my favorite conversations about the topic was with the local bar owner, Neil, who told us he would not have any business if it wasn’t for the Gerace Research Center. The group I traveled with went to this bar several times during our stay because it was within walking distance of the research center, and we didn’t have WIFI, so it was better than sitting in stuffy dorms. Neil loved talking about the history of the island, but his favorite topic was how much he loved all the students who came to the island for research. His love for the students may come from hearing all our interesting stories but ultimately comes from the income he makes from students. Neil told us that he has seen a decline in students visiting the island and it is most likely due to the health of the coral reefs.

Coral in San Salvador Bahamas taken by Madi Eldridge.

Neil’s income is determined mostly by the students who stay at the Gerace Research Center, but what about the other locals?  While staying at San Salvador Island my group also spoke to a group of local fishermen. These fishermen told us that when the coral reefs are healthy, they don’t have to travel as far offshore to fish and usually catch more fish. Therefore, they have a higher income when coral reefs are healthy because there are more fish, and they save money on fuel due to not having to travel as far. The fishermen didn’t want to give much information to use just because they are usually more guarded, but they did say their wives work at the resort on the island. The resort has not seen much change in tourism, but this is most likely due to its visitors being older and typically staying near the resort. Overall, San Salvador Island is seeing a change due to coral reef decline which all leads back to climate change.