摘要：珊瑚礁非常脆弱。许多因素都可能对其造成伤害。人类是最大的危害源。人们燃烧大量的煤炭、石油和天然气，为汽车、工厂提供动力，以及用于建筑物的供暖和制冷。燃烧煤炭、石油和天然气使地球的空气和水温度升高。海洋水温升高给珊瑚礁带来诸多问题。

珊瑚礁非常脆弱。许多因素都可能对其造成伤害。人类是最大的危害源。人们燃烧大量的煤炭、石油和天然气，为汽车、工厂提供动力，以及用于建筑物的供暖和制冷。燃烧煤炭、石油和天然气使地球的空气和水温度升高。海洋水温升高给珊瑚礁带来诸多问题。

Corals are getting sick. Coral diseases can destroy a big reef in just weeks. Warmer water is also causing corals to lose their algae. Without algae, corals have no food. They also lose their color and turn white. Three-fourths of all coral reefs have this problem.

珊瑚正在生病。珊瑚疾病能在短短几周内毁掉一大片珊瑚礁。水温升高还导致珊瑚失去体内的藻类。没有藻类，珊瑚就没有食物。它们还会失去自身的颜色，变成白色。全球四分之三的珊瑚礁都存在这个问题。

Other things harm coral reefs, too. Some people use poisons and explosives when they fish. Boats can break off large pieces of reefs. Dirt and trash can smother them. Boats can also leak gas and oil. Gas and oil hurt coral, plants, and fish.

其他因素也会危害珊瑚礁。一些人捕鱼时使用毒药和炸药。船只可能会撞掉大片的珊瑚礁。泥土和垃圾可能会将它们掩埋。船只还可能泄漏汽油和机油。汽油和机油会伤害珊瑚、植物和鱼类。

Coral reefs are beautiful. They are also important for many reasons. Reefs help protect coasts from storms and floods. They provide food for many kinds of fish that people eat. Some reef plants and animals are used for medicines.

珊瑚礁非常美丽。它们因诸多原因也十分重要。珊瑚礁有助于保护海岸免受风暴和洪水侵袭。它们为人们食用的多种鱼类提供食物。一些珊瑚礁中的植物和动物还用于制药。

Many countries try to protect their reefs. They have written（制定） laws and rules to keep reefs safe. But people do not always follow those laws and rules.

来源：英语·点一点号