World Reef Awareness Day 2025: Bringing corals back to life

Coral reefs are on the brink of extinction, but the crisis often goes unnoticed. World Reef Awareness Day, marked each year on June 1, urges us to pay attention and take action.

Reefs may lie hidden below the surface, but their importance touches every shore. They feed us, protect our coasts, power industries, and support countless marine species.

Would Reef Awareness Day urges individuals, communities, and companies to unite and protect our fragile reef systems before it’s too late.

Coral reefs survived millions of years

Corals are ancient. Scientists believe they first appeared over 500 million years ago. These sea creatures began as simple, solitary organisms. Over time, they transformed into vast reef systems. Their history is marked by struggle and resilience.

The Ordovician-Silurian extinction wiped out many early corals. Later, in the Devonian period, new coral forms emerged. Stony corals, which are essential for reef-building, appeared but remained rare.

Around 350 million years ago, fluctuating sea levels caused corals to vanish again. A hundred million years passed before they returned, only to be devastated during the Permian-Triassic extinction. This event eliminated more than 90 percent of marine life.

Still, corals kept coming back. About 46 million years ago, they reappeared before a final disappearance during the mid-Eocene. Then came their modern form – vibrant reefs like the Great Barrier Reef, discovered in 1770 by British explorer Captain James Cook.

Reef crisis needs urgent awareness

Today, coral reefs face a new kind of extinction. And this time, the threat is us. Since the 1980s, scientists have documented massive bleaching events. These happen when ocean temperatures rise. Corals lose the algae that give them color and life. If temperatures stay high, they die.

The Great Barrier Reef has lost more than half of its corals since 1995. In 2016, El Niño and global warming destroyed one third of its coral.

Pollution, including toxic sunscreens and plastic waste, adds further damage. Even tourism contributes. Careless contact and overcrowding put stress on reef ecosystems.

As the reefs suffer, marine life disappears with them. Fish, turtles, mollusks, and countless others rely on coral habitats. Without reefs, entire food chains collapse. And so does a major source of food and income for millions of people.

How coral reefs protect us

Reefs are not just pretty underwater structures. They are vital to life. Coral reefs act as natural barriers, shielding coastlines from storms and erosion. They also support fishing industries and feed over a billion people worldwide.

Coral reefs help more than sea life. They help people stay healthy too. Some reef creatures make chemicals that fight germs. These are now used in medicines for infections.

Scientists are also checking reef animals for clues to treat cancer and brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. If reefs disappear, we may lose cures we haven’t even found yet.

Reefs also help keep our oceans clear. They filter out particles and maintain water quality. Coral reefs do not survive in muddy or polluted water, so their presence indicates healthy oceans. When we protect reefs, we also preserve the balance of marine ecosystems.

Joining World Reef Awareness Day

World Reef Awareness Day is more than just information. It is about action. Simple efforts matter. You can start by organizing or joining a local beach cleanup. Trash on land often ends up in the ocean, harming marine life.

Curious to see a reef up close? Take a virtual dive from your screen. Online tours let you explore coral reefs without leaving home. It feels like you’re underwater with the fish. It shows what’s at risk and brings you closer to ocean life.

Even personal care can make a difference. Many sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone, which harm corals. On June 1, try making your own reef-safe sunblock. One homemade recipe uses coconut oil, olive oil, beeswax, and non-nano zinc oxide. It is gentle on your skin and on sea life.

Great Barrier Reef needs global awareness

People call the Great Barrier Reef the biggest living thing on Earth. It’s larger than some countries and even visible from space. More than 1,500 marine species live there. Rare animals like humpback whales, loggerhead turtles, and green sea turtles visit it. It’s also one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

But the Great Barrier Reef is disappearing. Coral bleaching, climate change, and ocean acidification continue to damage this once-thriving ecosystem. More than a million people visit the reef each year, but tourism must evolve to protect rather than exploit.

For example, volunteer programs now let people dive with purpose. They train divers to help with reef monitoring and restoration. By getting involved, visitors can contribute to saving what they came to see.

Our future depends on reef health

Why should we care about World Reef Awareness Day? Because coral reefs do more than look beautiful. They feed over a billion creatures, including people. They help keep coastlines safe and oceans full of life.

Celebrating this day reminds us of our responsibility. It also offers hope. Communities worldwide are finding ways to restore reefs, from artificial reef structures to marine protected areas. Every effort, no matter how small, builds toward resilience.

This June 1, take a moment to care. Learn about reef conservation. Support reef-friendly policies. Share the story with someone new. Every voice counts in this global movement to keep coral reefs alive, for us and for generations yet to come.

—–

Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. 

Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

—–