Supporting Coral Reef Resilience in the Face of Climate Change
The Reef-World Foundation – international coordinator of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins iThe Reef-World Foundation, the international coordinator of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative, has introduced a new Coral Bleaching Response Toolkit to help the marine tourism industry navigate the 4th global coral bleaching event, confirmed in April 2024 by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI).
A Practical Guide for Marine Tourism Operators
The Green Fins Global Coral Bleaching Response Toolkit is designed to equip dive centers, tour operators, and coastal businesses with the knowledge and strategies necessary to mitigate, monitor, and support coral reef recovery. It includes guidance on:
- Understanding coral bleaching – its causes, effects, and long-term implications.
- Implementing best practices to minimize human impact on stressed coral ecosystems.
- Engaging tourists and local communities in conservation efforts.
- Monitoring coral reef conditions through standardized reporting methods.
Compiled using expert resources from ICRI, NOAA, Coral Reef Alliance, Reef Check, and Green Fins, the toolkit ensures accessibility for businesses and individuals worldwide who want to take action.
The Impact of Climate and Human Pressures
Since February 2023, the El Niño phenomenon has driven persistent increases in global sea surface temperatures, intensifying coral bleaching across all major ocean regions. While the scale of the current event is alarming, bleached corals are not necessarily dead corals—they can recover if given the opportunity to adapt and rebuild.
“Coral reefs are under stress every day, and that reduces their ability to recover from bleaching events,” said Chloe Harvey, Executive Director at The Reef-World Foundation. “However, scientists have been closely monitoring the data, so we are better prepared. We know what this means, and we know what needs to be done. This global crisis calls for global action to protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come.”
Collaborative Efforts to Safeguard Coral Reefs
By providing education and practical resources, Reef-World aims to empower marine tourism operators to become active participants in coral reef conservation. With the right training and tools, the industry can serve as a driving force in mitigating climate-related threats and fostering the long-term sustainability of marine environments.
Organizations such as NOAA and the PADI AWARE Foundation have also joined the movement, calling for more citizen scientists to assist in monitoring coral bleaching worldwide. With the Coral Bleaching Response Toolkit now freely available, The Reef-World Foundation anticipates increased collaboration and collective action across the industry.
Explore the toolkit on Green Fins’ website: greenfins.net/coral-bleaching
About Reef-World
The Reef-World Foundation is a registered UK charity which delivers practical solutions for marine conservation around the world. The charity promotes the wise use of natural resources – particularly coral reefs and related ecosystems – for the benefit of local communities, visitors and future generations. It is dedicated to supporting, inspiring and empowering governments, businesses, communities and individuals around the world to act in conserving and sustainably developing coastal resources.
Reef-World leads the global implementation of the UN Environment Programme’s Green Fins initiative, which focuses on driving environmentally friendly scuba diving and snorkelling practices across the industry globally. As such, the charity provides low-cost and practical solutions to local and industry-wide environmental challenges associated with the marine tourism industry. It provides education and capacity-building assistance to empower environmental champions (within the diving industry, local communities, authorities and governments) to implement proven coastal resource management approaches.
Please visit www.reef-world.org to learn more or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
About Green Fins
Green Fins is a proven conservation management approach – spearheaded by The Reef-World Foundation in partnership with the UN Environment Programme – which leads to a measurable reduction in the negative environmental impacts associated with the marine tourism industry. The initiative aims to protect and conserve coral reefs through environmentally friendly guidelines that promote a sustainable diving and snorkelling tourism industry. It provides the only internationally recognised environmental standards for the diving and snorkelling industry and has a robust assessment system to measure compliance.
Green Fins encourages and empowers members of the diving industry to act to reduce the pressures on coral reefs by offering dive and snorkel companies practical, low-cost alternatives to harmful practices – such as anchoring, fish feeding and chemical pollution – as well as providing strategic training, support and resources. By reducing the local direct and indirect pressures tourism puts on coral reefs, it helps make corals healthier and more resilient to other stresses such as the effects of climate change. Look for the Green Fins logo when booking your next dive trip.
Please visit www.greenfins.net to learn more or follow the initiative on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Photo Banner Top: Zoe Lower Article: Giacomo Abrusci, Executive Director, SEVENSEAS Media