13 July 2012: The 12th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS 2012) aimed to enhance knowledge of coral reef science, management and conservation, and resulted in a Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs.

In the Consensus Statement, the international Coral Reef Science Community calls on governments to ensure the future of coral reefs through global action to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), as well as improved local protection of coral reefs. Noting the importance of coral reefs in terms of ecosystems of ecological, economic and cultural value, it stresses that reefs are in decline worldwide due to human activities.

The Statement identifies land-based sources of pollution, sedimentation, overfishing and climate change as major threats, and includes sections on: changes already observed over the last century; changes expected by the end of this century; other stresses faced by corals and reefs; and future impacts on coral reefs.

The Symposium convened from 9-13 July 2012, in Cairns, Australia. The International Coral Reef Initiative was held directly after this meeting, from 16-19 July. [ICRS2012 Website] [Support the Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs]