The report, launched today at the World’s Oceans Conference in Indonesia, shows climate change will destroy the reefs across the Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste.

The region just 1% of the earth’s surface has 30% of the world’s coral reefs, 76% of its reef building coral species and more than 35% of its coral reef fish species, as well as providing vital spawning grounds for other economically important fish such as tuna.

Around 100 million people rely on the area for their livelihoods.

However, it is predicted that due to climate change and overfishing, the capacity of the region’s coastal environments to feed people will decline by 80%.

Emily Lewis-Brown, marine climate change officer at WWF-UK, said: “The effects of climate change on the oceans are global and only strong and urgent action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions can hope to mitigate this threat.

“WWF calls on world leaders to agree a strong and fair Global Climate Deal at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.”

Luke Walsh

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