The Process Paper written by student (insert name)

The text, World temperatures go off the chart by 2047, sparked my interest as it spoke about
rising temperatures and several other factors that contribute to climate change as well as the
effects that it would cause. However, the heading marine environment intrigued me especially
when it further spoke about coral reefs and how climate change adversely affects them. I then
began to ask questions such as how climate change affects coral reefs. In keeping with my
thoughts I typed coral reefs + climate change and found Pacific Island Network Inventory and
Monitoring Programs article How does climate change affect coral reefs? which spoke about
coral bleaching and degradation.
This in turn made me question the importance of the reefs and their effects which led me to the
article The Importance of Coral Reefs by Reef Relief Headquarters & Environmental Center. It
educated the public on the effects coral reefs have on water purification, aesthetics and housing
fish. However the article entitled New study suggests coral reefs may be able to adapt to
moderate climate change gives proof and hypotheses on the stabilization of the coral
communities.
After much deliberation, I was able to come up with my research question. In what ways has
global warming impacted coral reefs in the Caribbean?
Research Question
In what ways has global warming impacted coral reefs in the Caribbean?
1. What are the general causes of global warming?
2. What is the importance of coral reefs?
3. How does global warming change marine life in the Caribbean?
4. What penalties/sanctions, if any are there to preserve coral reefs?
5. How will this phenomenon affect humans in the near future?
Works Cited
University of Maryland Centre for Environmental Sciences. 2014. Coral Reefs and Climate
Change. How does climate change affect coral reefs?
<http://www.teachoceanscience.net/teaching_resources/education_modules/coral_reefs_and_cli
mate_change/how_does_climate_change_affect_coral_reefs/>. Accessed 2014 February 12.
Quirolo C, Quirolo D. 2014. Coral Reef Ecosystems. The Importance of Coral Reefs.
<http://reefrelief.org/the-importance-of-coral-reefs/>. Accessed 2014 February 12.
Logan C, Eakin M, Dunne J, NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, NOAAs Coral
Reef Watch, Donner S. 2013 October 29. Active Weather Alerts. New study suggests coral reefs
may be able to adapt to moderate climate change.
<http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2013/20131029_coral.html>. Accessed 2014 February
12.