By Walter Johnson High School Intern, Moira Neve
Many people have never seen the Great Barrier Reef in person and the chances of witnessing it at its current state are declining. This natural wonder supports a quarter of all marine species, which can be seen from outer space, is teeming with life (WWF). Coral reefs come in a range of exotic colors perhaps more suited to an enthusiastic toddler’s finger painting than the depths of the ocean.
Tragically, the purple and orange hues these reefs once bore are fading to white as they succumb to the effects of global warming. The reefs once home to colonies of underwater critters and fish are now left as skeletal remains. Coral reefs are undergoing “bleaching”- a catastrophic event now commonplace in the world’s oceans (NOAA).
What exactly is coral bleaching?
To give an idea of the devastation caused by coral bleaching, here is the Great Barrier Reef before and after the effects of warming waters. Photos provided by UNESCO.
As a result of climate change and warming waters, coral expel zooxanthellae–algae typically living in coral tissue, and the reefs lose their luster, becoming a bleached white color (UNESCO). The loss of algae in coral tissues leaves the reef system vulnerable; an augmented rate of bleaching means an inadequate chance for the reefs to recover in between episodes (UNESCO).
In the past several decades coinciding with a one degree Celsius overall global warming, bleaching events have left reef ecosystems highly susceptible to stress and disease, leading to a high mortality rate. Aside from their aesthetic value, reefs are the lifeblood of our oceans. They are vital habitat to a plethora of diverse species, serve as a coastal buffer from tropical storms, drive significant tourist industries, and serve as a major food source for millions of people (Bauer, Adriana).
Since all organisms, including humans, benefit from and even rely on the continued existence and health of these exceptional ecosystems, what can humans due to stop their destruction?
Well, quite a lot actually!
Visual for the process of coral bleaching, provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Take the Pledge to Stop Using Straws
According to the Strawless Ocean Initiative, if humans continue using plastic at the rate we do now, with eight million tons of plastic ending up in the ocean each year, the amount of plastic will outnumber fish in the ocean by 2050. Straws, one of the top ten pollutants found in oceans, are relatively easy to cut out of our daily lives. Why is this relevant to saving coral reefs? Sunlight blockage from trash as well as the transport of disease from plastic microbes can further impede the healthy growth of corals which are already doubly crippled by climate change and bleaching (Josh Gabbatiss). So, join the movement and #stopsucking!
Contact Officials and Influence Legislation to Address the Fight to Save Coral Reefs
We don’t have reefs off the coast in Bethesda, but we can still make the effort to protect marine life and to combat climate change. Send emails, call your representatives, and make your voice heard concerning the imperative nature of addressing the plight of coral reefs across the globe. Visit USA.gov or Congress.org for help in finding the contacts of elected officials.
Vote With Your Wallet
Supporting reef-friendly businesses, preferably local ones that are invested in the well being of a community, ensures the dollars coming out of your wallet are not being funneled towards business practices that perpetuate unsafe treatment of coral. This is especially true for coastal towns near the homes of coral reefs such as in the state of Florida, but on your next beach trip, take care to ask hotels, surf shops, and other companies whether they conduct business sustainably.
Buy Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Oxybenzone is a chemical in sunscreen found to be harmful to reefs. According to the National Park Service, 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen get washed into the ocean each year. Labels can be misleading, and even companies that label their products “reef-safe” are not necessarily approved by the FDA as harmless to marine life (McCarthy, John). As a general rule of thumb for finding sunscreens that avoid harmful products, shop for those with titanium or zinc oxide rather than chemicals.
Choose Sustainable Seafood
Next time you are at the grocery store perusing the seafood aisle, take a second to check the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Consumer Guide. This provides the most up to date ratings for human health and seafood safety when choosing the type of fish you will purchase. Or better yet, download the Seafood Watch App and find marine-friendly seafood markets and restaurants near you!
Adopt a Reef
Finally, invest your money in saving a spectacular organism by gifting someone with a Coral Nursery. The Nature Conservancy understands coral reefs’ plight has only just begun, and it is going to take time and effort to reverse the adverse effects of coral bleaching.
Scuba diver next to a remaining undamaged portion of the Great Barrier Reef. Photo courtesy of Imagebroker, Alamy in the National Geographic.
These six suggestions will help make a difference in conserving the spectacular coral reefs which are fundamental to flourishing ocean life, and may make it possible for you to visit the Great Barrier reef or another reef yourself one day!
Works Cited:
“Coral Reefs.” WWF, wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/coasts/coral_reefs/.
Society, National Geographic. “Ocean Impacts of Climate Change.” National Geographic Society, 29 Nov. 2016, www.nationalgeographic.org/media/ocean-impacts-climate-change/.
Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. “Assessment: World Heritage Coral Reefs Likely to Disappear by 2100 Unless CO2 Emissions Drastically Reduce.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, whc.unesco.org/en/news/1676/.
Bauer, Adriana. “Importance of Coral Reefs – Biodiscovery and the Great Barrier Reef.” Queensland Museum, www.qm.qld.gov.au/microsites/biodiscovery/05human-impact/importance-of-coral-reefs.html.
US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “What Is Coral Bleaching?” NOAA’s National Ocean Service, 15 Mar. 2010, oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral_bleach.html.
“Strawless Ocean, from Lonely Whale Foundation.” Strawless Ocean, www.strawlessocean.org/.
“UNESCO: Great Barrier Reef Loses ‘In Danger’ Status Despite Massive Destruction.” Green and Growing, 6 July 2017, www.greenandgrowing.org/unesco-great-barrier-reef-danger/.
McCarthy, John. “National Park Service Has Tips On How You Can Use Sunscreen Without Harming Coral Reefs.” Virgin Islands Free Press, 23 June 2016, vifreepress.com/2016/06/national-park-service-tips-can-use-sunscreen-without-harming-coral-reefs/.
Alder, Sam. “Chasing Coral – A New Netflix Original Documentary.” Chasing Coral, Chasing Coral, 26 Jan. 2018, www.chasingcoral.com/.
Josh Gabbatiss Science Correspondent. “Plastic Pollution Is ‘Killing Corals’ by Increasing Risk of Disease in Reefs, Say Scientists.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 25 Jan. 2018, www.independent.co.uk/environment/plastic-pollution-coral-reefs-disease-damage-seas-oceans-cornell-university-a8178156.html.
