Climate change impacts, specifically increases in sea temperature, sea level, and ocean acidity, jeopardize the biodiversity of the ocean and threaten the food security of dependent coastal communities. Scientific evidence suggests that by 2050, we may lose more coral reef area to erosion than can be rebuilt naturally if urgent steps are not taken to reduce atmospheric CO2 (Hoegh-Guldberg et al. 2007). Scaled-up management actions on global emissions and on reef recovery are required if the loss of coral-dominated ecosystems is to be avoided.

To respond to this challenge, The Nature Conservancy convened a group of global ocean experts in Honolulu, Hawaii from August 12-14, 2008. The workshop participants included oceanographers, climate experts, marine scientists, and coral reef managers from around the world. To enhance coral reef resilience to ocean acidification, the expert group agreed to the Honolulu Declaration on Ocean Acidification and Reef Management, a series of recommendations for adapting policy and management practices.