Stories by Lauretta Burke

A new report on the state of the world’s oceans is gaining considerable attention this week.

Three-quarters of Americans have not.

WRI’s Lauretta Burke discusses her work on measuring the economic value of coral reefs in the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean countries.

Reef ecosystems face both local and global threats. Here is what needs to be done to ensure the world’s corals and mangroves are preserved.

What is Reefs at Risk and why is it unique?

Coral reefs are a vital part of the Caribbean’s marine environment, and are integral to the economies of many of the region’s small island states. WRI’s economic valuation methodology can help decision-makers in the region better understand the enormous economic value the reef provides and use this data to make better-informed coastal policy.

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The Problem

In recent decades, the giant Mesoamerican Barrier Reef has recovered from repeated bleaching events.