"What if all coral reefs die? Experts are scared"

Principally scared of what will happen to people, of course. A "complete collapse of the marine ecosystem" only seems important to the writer, and I suspect many of those whose research contributed to these conclusions, in the ways that it will impact humans.

It doesn't matter.

It does not matter.

We are not the issue.

We are the problem.

Here is the main thrust of the article, and I assume any other article addressing this topic:

If reefs were to disappear, commonly consumed species of grouper and snapper could become just memories. Oysters, clams and other creatures that are vital to many people's diets would also suffer. And experts say commercial fisheries would fail miserably at meeting demand for seafood.

"Fish will become a luxury good," said Cassandra deYoung of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. "You already have a billion people who are facing hunger, and this is just going to aggravate the situation," she added. "We will not be able to maintain food security around the world."

The economic damage could be enormous. Ocean fisheries provide direct employment to at least 38 million people worldwide, with an additional 162 million people indirectly involved in the industry, according to the U.N.

Coral reefs draw scuba divers, snorkelers and other tourists to seaside resorts in Florida, Hawaii, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean and help maintain some of the world's finest sandy beaches by absorbing energy from waves. Without the reefs, hotels, restaurants and other businesses that cater to tourists could suffer financially.

Many Caribbean countries get nearly half their gross national product from visitors seeking tropical underwater experiences.

People all over the world could pay the price if reefs were to disappear, since some types of coral and marine species that rely on reefs are being used by the pharmaceutical industry to develop possible cures for cancer, arthritis and viruses.

"A world without coral reefs is unimaginable," said Jane Lubchenco, a marine biologist who heads NOAA. "Reefs are precious sources of food, medicine and livelihoods for hundreds of thousands around the world. They are also special places of renewal and recreation for thousands more. Their exotic beauty and diverse bounty are global treasures."

It seems impossible for anyone, at least in this part of the world, to consider that animal and plant life, as well as non-living things like water and air, all have intrinsic value. Everything else has as much a right to live and thrive as we do, if not more, for we are the source of the catastrophes that threaten their existence.

But no. We worry about the price of fish, how tourism will do, where we will get medicine. What a sick pity party. Us us us, all that ever matters.