No, there isn’t a species of coral known as the “disappearing coral;” at least, not to my knowledge, there isn’t. But at this rate, many corals might as well be labeled as such. In a pretty eye-opening report from the Center for Biological Diversity, I recently read that scientists are saying that coral reefs “are poised to become the first mass ecosystem extinction.”

This is alarming in and of itself. Not only are coral living creatures—they are also the important habitat and resource for many different marine animals—as well as for human communities living on the coasts. In fact, coral reefs supply 25% of the total habitat for marine creatures.

A mass ecosystem extinction during our time is something that we might think about as being in one of the latest end-of-the-world Hollywood blockbusters, not reality. The sad fact is that it could definitely happen—in fact, scientists say that it could only be a matter of decades before the loss is that catastrophic.

But we, largely the catalyst of their destruction, could prevent it from happening. We can act today to ensure their protection for future generations.

Right now, 82 different kinds of coral are being reviewed for protection under the Endangered Species Act. These coral are located in Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Pacific territories. Under this protection, coral would be ensured stronger safeguards from the federal government. It would prevent their loss of habitat through human development, pollution, and overharvest—three of the main ways that coral are threatened right now.

Coral are also being lost due to other threats. Climate change, which causes the ocean’s temperatures to rise, makes the corals bleach and die, and impairs the growth of the coral that do survive. Disease and overharvesting are causing the coral populations of the world to dwindle down, smaller and smaller, resulting in these scientists’ worst prediction—an entire extinct ecosystem. And once they are gone, species that depend on these ecosystems to survive would likely perish as well.

Please call for the United States government to ensure protection for these coral under the Endangered Species Act. Your letters are needed by April 12. Let them know that you fully support the listing of these 82 species as threatened or endangered, and that you support their protection under the Endangered Species Act. Please make sure to send your message today. Click here to send your letter and find out more about this important legislation.