Scientists fight to save unique Guiana coral reef
Published: 07:10 PM,Oct 07,2019 | EDITED : 10:05 PM,May 05,2024
Not just passing through - Earlier this month, a team of six experts braved the muddy water and strong currents to scrutinise the reef’s corals, sponges and calcified algae, taking photos and samples. So far, the mission has identified several species of dolphin, killer whales, sailfish and several marine birds. But Olivier Van Canneyt, a scientist with the CNRS-aligned Pelagis observatory, is quick to stress the reef represents “more than a migratory route”. “We also observed humpback whales with their young; their presence confirms that it is also a vital place of breeding and (nurturing). French Guiana waters are a crucial place for the survival of many cetacean species,” he explained. For Edina Ifticene of Greenpeace’s Protect the Oceans campaign, the discovery of these creatures showed “it doesn’t make sense to drill for oil in such a critical environment; an oil spill could have irreversible consequences for the entire area.” Not only that but exploting oil deposits threatens to undermine the fight against climate change caused by planet-warming gases emitted as humanity burns fossil fuels for energy.
Fish, food at risk - Brazil’s ANP petroleum agency has estimated the area may hold as much as 14 billion barrels of oil — a quantity scientists say could release 5.2 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. According to the International Energy Agency, global energy-related CO2 emissions rose to a historic high of 33.1 Gt last year. Scientists say we need to leave at least 80 percent of the world’s known remaining fossil fuel reserves in the ground to prevent runaway climate change. Last week, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change cautioned that ocean warming and changes in sea chemistry, caused by CO2 absorption, is harming ocean life and the people who depend on it. “Shifts in the distribution of fish populations have reduced the global catch potential,” it said. “Communities that depend highly on seafood may face risks to nutritional health and food security.” Ruben, a fisherman from the small coastal community of Kali’na said he feared for the future. “I think it’s bad for us. It’s what I think. The petrol is dangerous,” he said on a stopover by the Esperanza. — AFP