Galápagos waters preview future for corals

Reefs’ demise due to warming, pollution similar to forecasts for elsewhere in decades ahead

Galápagos Islands reef

LONESOME REEF  Off the coast of the Island of Darwin in the northern Galápagos Islands, only one reef has survived the destructive conditions that mimic future climate change and rising carbon dioxide emissions and pollution levels. 

Joshua Feingold

The Galápagos Islands, known for inspiring evolutionary looks backward, may also offer a glimpse of what’s ahead for coral reefs — and the view is bleak.