A Tale of Two Cities

Each year, thousands of us flock to the bright lights of the city, lured by a thriving community and all the benefits urban life offers. According to a 2018 United Nations report, 68 percent of the world’s population will be living in metropolitan areas by 2050, and megacities – those with more than 10 million inhabitants – could become increasingly common in developing countries.  

While land-based cities are predicted to flourish and expand, our ocean counterparts wither and wane. Coral reefs are facing rising pressures from both natural and anthropogenic stressors. And while these ocean cities are home to more than 25 percent of all known marine fish species, over 80 percent of shallow reefs are severely overfished, 25 – 50 percent have already been destroyed, and around 60 percent are under threat.  

But this is more than a tale of two cities.  

What happens below the waves also impacts those living above. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, more than 850 million people live within 100 kilometres of coral reefs, with the majority directly and indirectly benefiting from the food, income, and coastal protection they provide. And then there is the tourism industry to consider. 

“Every year, two million people visit the Great Barrier Reef. Reef tourism contributes about 6.4 billion euros annually to Australia’s economic power. About 70,000 people owe their jobs to the Great Barrier Reef,” writes Professor Christian Wild from the University of Bremen and conference chairman of the 14th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS 2021).  

Because of the importance of coral reefs and the significant challenges they face, ECO Magazine has partnered with the organisers of ICRS 2021 to bring you our first digital edition of 2020: Coral Reefs. Little did we know we would end up producing a 160-page issue. Still, the number of stories we share with you here offers a glimpse into the breadth of exciting and vital research that is taking place around the world today. From case studies demonstrating successful coral restoration, selective breeding, and management approaches to novel applications for mass spectrometers and modelling techniques, this issue has it all.  

For cities above and below the water, the ability to innovate, adapt, and be resilient will be critical if both are to prosper in a future of climate change and growing demands for resources. And one thing is clear; we will need coral reefs to succeed if we are to thrive. 

Thank you to our sponsors of this special edition for helping us spread awareness about the challenges coral reefs face and for supporting academics, industry members, and governments in the fight to save our ocean’s cities.  

 I invite you all to enjoy your free subscription to ECO Magazine via www.ecomagazine.com/subscribe.