Scientists studied 2,500 coral reefs to figure out how to save them

By Ashley Strickland, CNN

Updated 2103 GMT (0503 HKT) August 12, 2019

Also known as "rainforests of the sea", coral reefs offer spectacular sights, as well as supporting wildlife, providing food, jobs and coastal protection for an estimated 500 million people. <br /><br />But human activities are threatening their survival. Scroll through the gallery to see how our actions are putting coral reefs at risk.
Photos: How are humans harming coral reefs?
Also known as "rainforests of the sea", coral reefs offer spectacular sights, as well as supporting wildlife, providing food, jobs and coastal protection for an estimated 500 million people.

But human activities are threatening their survival. Scroll through the gallery to see how our actions are putting coral reefs at risk.
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Rising temperatures: Man-made greenhouse gas emissions are making oceans warmer. <br />In hotter water, corals lose their algae coverings and turn white or "bleached". Bleached coral are not yet dead -- but without their algae they eventually starve.
Photos: How are humans harming coral reefs?
Rising temperatures: Man-made greenhouse gas emissions are making oceans warmer.