anarchy
13.05.2021 12:37:11
Conserving energy to reduce your carbon footprint is one way to fight the effects of global warning and lessen large-scale threats to reef ecosystems. more
See full version: What can people do the help save the coral reef
Conserving energy to reduce your carbon footprint is one way to fight the effects of global warning and lessen large-scale threats to reef ecosystems. more
Follow the 3 R's - reduce, reuse, recycle - to ameliorate the negative impacts of pollution and landfills on the health of our oceans. [links]
Take small but powerful and environmentally conscious steps like switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, planting native trees, buying energy-efficient cars, and teleconferencing instead of flying. here
Our generation holds the future of coral reefs in its hands. If we fail to act now, coral reefs and the communities and cultures that depend on them may be lost forever. If you care about coral reefs and want to make a difference, there are lots of ways you can help.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is globally recognized as a leading NGO on coral reef protection, management, and restoration with decades of on-the-ground work in major reef regions. TNC currently works in over 32 coral reef countries, covering 40 percent of the world’s coral reefs. here
EMPOWER REEF MANAGERS: Rapidly deploy new techniques in reef protection and restoration, reaching marine practitioners in every coral reef country and territory across the globe, through our Reef Resilience Network [links]
The dangers to corals are real and growing. But I’ve worked on reef conservation for 20 years, and now, more than ever before, I believe that there is hope.
TNC’s goal is to protect 30 percent of the world’s coral reefs by 2030 and to restore critical source reefs that provide the essential larvae to support natural reef recovery. here
PROTECT REEFS: Establish new marine protected areas and improve the management of existing areas by partnering with local people who know their reefs best. [links]
Local and regional collaborations can lead to global cooperation. Don’t think that small actions can’t go a long way. Reaching out to universities, professors, researchers, and fellow students who are working to protect and save coral reefs will only strengthen the efforts needed. At Oregon State University leveraging community is what matters: “Communities, cities, large institutions, companies, and nations have the power to make broad impacts. Through civic and political engagement, you can help shape your community in ways that reduce negative impacts on coral reefs. Volunteering, voting and running for public office are all ways you can become more engaged and magnify your impact on a wide range of issues.”
Additionally, a comprehensive assessment of multiple studies shows reducing the impact of the fishing industry around coral reefs actually does not do much to preserve or restore reefs. Science is showing that the main cause of coral reef degradation comes from rising sea temperatures and climate change. “[T]he science is clear: fishery restrictions, while beneficial to overharvested species, do not help reef-building corals cope with human-caused ocean warming,” says John Bruno, a marine ecologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. New information like this allows for a larger conversation and a call for more global collaboration in the fight to save coral reefs. more
Another study by researchers at Macquarie University in Australia offers new hope for saving coral reefs. The study offers three strategic management steps to help preserve coral reefs: 1) Protect; 2) Recover; and 3) Transform. The first phase, protection, will require legislation and policies of “an international network of coral reef conservation to save the world’s last functioning coral reefs.” The second step, recovery, requires “rapid coral recovery where reefs (54 percent of those examined in the study) were previously functioning but have been recently impacted by the 2014-2017 coral bleaching event.” Finally, the third phase, transformation, recommends that “some coastal societies will need to transform away from dependence on reefs that are no longer functioning (28 percent of the reefs analysed fell into this category).” Local buy-in and participation from townspeople, business owners, municipalities, and large companies will all play an important role in reducing the impact on coral reefs. more
The call to action feels urgent. Universities and students are responding with major efforts to save coral reefs. Let's take a look at vital preservation work that is being done -- and still needs to be done -- to keep these vital ecosystems healthy and sustainable for future generations.
5. Build a coalition for global cooperation
Climate change is the largest threat to coral reefs so advocating for curbing greenhouse gases and providing educational opportunities for citizens to fully understand the effects will provide the foundational knowledge for change to happen. For example, understanding coral bleaching is key. “Coral bleaching tends to be quite patchy and this is where our research is directly useful because can help to explain the differences in the susceptibility to heat stress,” says researcher Jörg Wiedenmann, professor of biological oceanography and head of the Coral Reef Laboratory at the Southern Cross University. “Whilst climate change is an issue that must be addressed both on the regional and global scale, water quality is something that can be managed locally and is something that countries with coral reefs have in their own hands.”
One of the leading causes of coral death is ocean warming resulting from greenhouse gas emissions by cars and industries. [links]
Therefore, by feeding the fish, this pattern is disrupted in that the fish will depend on human feeding, leaving the algae to grow on the reefs. This is likely to lead to the growth of disease-causing microorganisms that can destroy coral.
However, this activity is likely to be detrimental to the coral reef ecosystem as fish provide a balance between coral and algae. Simply put, fish feed on algae within the coral hence enhancing its health and survival.
Coral reefs are fragile, and any form of contact can damage the small marine creatures.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Remember to practice these 3 R’s of sustainability anytime you step out onto the beach. [links]
Fewer things are more precious and spectacular than coral reefs. These beautiful underwater ecosystems are essential for many reasons. Besides being home to one-quarter of all marine species, they protect coastal areas against storms and are a source of income to hundreds of millions of people.