All scuba divers have sung the doleful lament about global warming being a contributing factor to the imminent demise of coral reefs. However, a recent study by a team of Australian researchers indicates quite the opposite. In fact, they argue that increased global warming is good for coral reefs and should lead to their increase! What the…? Coral reef populations on the rise?
Contrary to popular wisdom, the researchers concluded that coral populations would increase by as much as 35% by 2100. (Zounds! Better get certified soon!) Combining historical trends and forecasting models of ocean warming and cooling, the researchers determined that ocean warming contributes more to the growth of coral colonies than carbon dioxide increases (resulting from the same global warming) destroys them.
At this point, my former stats teacher, Barry, might remind the class that clever statisticians can manipulate data to reach the conclusions they wish to reach. It’ll be interesting to see, on my deathbed, which of the two groups of researchers is right.
1. The scientific community never ceases to amaze in their efforts at proving the contradictory.
Related but off topic, a pregnancy guide circa 1950s informs a woman "she must keep a slim figure for her husband and smoking a cigarette between meals will keep her food cravings away." In the event you don't know, pregnant women are advised against drinking alcohol or smoking to avoid birth defects and other abnormailities. But who knows, maybe the medical community will change their mind in 50 years.
Posted at 11:58AM on Jun 24th 2005 by Eric