ENVIRONMENT »» ECOSYSTEMS »» CORAL REEFS »» May 22, 2023

Often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs are massive structures made of limestone deposited by coral polyps. Coral reefs begin to form when free-swimming coral larvae attach to submerged rocks or other hard surfaces along the edges of islands or continents. These structures support about 25% of all known marine species. Located in more than 100 countries around the world, coral reefs are found in shallow water where sea surface temperatures range from 68° to 97° F. Most reefs are located between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Coral reefs provide an important ecosystem for life underwater, protect coastal areas by reducing the power of waves hitting the coast, and provide a crucial source of income for millions of people. They teem with diverse life and thousands of species can be found living on one reef. Advocates say up to 90% of all coral reefs will disappear over the next 25 years due to relentless pressure from climate change, declining water quality, overfishing, pollution and unsustainable coastal development. Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.241 - Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021 Proposed Sponsor: Rep. Steve Chabot (OH) I oppose reforming current coral reef policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Kevin McCarthy (CA). I support extending through 2028 authority for debt-for-nature swaps and debt buyback programs that reduce or convert debt obligations from an eligible country to the United States into funding for nature conservation and coral reef protection efforts in that country. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Steve Chabot (OH) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

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I support extending through 2028 authority for debt-for-nature swaps and debt buyback programs that reduce or convert debt obligations from an eligible country to the United States into funding for nature conservation and coral reef protection efforts in that country. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Steve Chabot (OH) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Trustee Candidates

Representative If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Steve Chabot (OH) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting him to favorably consider either reintroducing H.R.241 - Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2021, or a similar version thereof. The Nature Conservancy If elected as a trustee, The Nature Conservancy will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to advocate and work for preserving the world’s coral reefs. Our goal: To conserve nearly 10 billion acres of ocean, 1.6 billion acres of land, and 620,000 miles of rivers, all of which contribute to our global food requirements. We intend to achieve this ambitious goal through new and better-managed protected areas, global-scale sustainable fishing, restoring working lands, innovative financing, partnering with communities and Indigenous peoples, and positive policy changes.

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