Science Express published a recent study conducted by Dr. Kent Carpenter of Old Dominion University in collaboration with a team of about thirty coral reef experts, according to which as much as one third of the existing corals are very much endangered because of the globally-noticeable climate changes and local human activities.

Dr. Kent Carpenter appropriately calls this problem "the human meteor," as the meteor that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs also wiped out an estimated one third of the period’s coral species. According to the scientist, corals can still be saved by human intervention.

He went on to say that the study’s metric were rather conservative, as the interpretation he was going for was supposed to be as accurate as possible. Ocean acidification was not regarded as a threat; although it is considered by many to influence the evolution of corals, the issue hasn’t been agreed upon yet.

The study found about two hundred coral species to be "vulnerable;" if their status would change to "endangered," it would mean that roughly 60% of coral species would be facing extinction.

Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) wrapped up a report which found the state of roughly half of the US coral reef ecosystems to be either poor or fair. In the three years that have passed since NOAA’s last report, a lot has happened, as the Caribbean region for instance, has recorded a loss of at least fifty percent of its corals.  

People are beginning to become aware of the corals’ importance; coral reefs represent the irreplaceable habitat of about one quarter of the existing marine species. Ideas to preserve the existing reefs and to create new ones have been and still are developed.  

In May, 44 New York City subway cars were placed in the Atlantic Ocean's Maryland coastal area, in an attempt to create an artificial reef. Previous such actions have proved to be very successful.