Blooming pillar corals, green sea turtles and colourful reef fishes—welcome to the thriving underwater universe of coral reefs. Running from July 15 to 21, Coral Reef Awareness Week is the perfect time to honour them. Coral reefs are formed by tiny marine organisms called coral polyps, which create vast colonies that serve as homes to a diverse array of marine species. As we turn our attention to their beauty and benefits, it"s vital to recognise the lurking threats–climate change, pollution and harmful human activities.