DOI: 10.38007/978-1-80053-603-6

The ocean, the source of life on this blue planet, has nurtured the richest biodiversity on Earth. Among them, coral reef ecosystems are known as the "tropical rainforests of the ocean", accounting for only 0.1% of the seabed area but providing habitat for over 25% of marine life. However, since the Industrial Revolution, the massive carbon dioxide emissions caused by human activities have not only exacerbated global warming, but also triggered ocean acidification - a phenomenon that is silently undermining the survival foundation of coral reefs.

The degradation of coral reefs is not only an ecological issue, but also reflects a profound environmental ethical dilemma: do humans have the right to unrestricted development of nature? Should the economic interests of contemporary people override the ecological well-being of future generations? How can we balance development and protection when scientific data is intertwined with political and economic games?

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