On Friday, the magazine Outside posted an “obituary” to the Great Barrier Reef. In it, the cause of death for these corals was deemed to be rising ocean temperatures and a phenomenon called coral bleaching. This article was quickly debunked by several different sources, including the Huffington Post. Their response to the “obituary” served to remind all of us that, while far from dead, the Great Barrier Reef, and the other reefs that still survive, is in grave danger if nothing is done.
So what is it that puts coral reefs in such danger? The answer is a simple one: global warming. As the temperature of our planet increases, so does the temperature of our oceans and seas. Corals are very susceptible to these changes, and so in order to cope, they undergo what is known as coral bleaching. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, stressed corals release the microscopic algae that they have a symbiotic (helpful) relationship with into the ocean. The corals are starved of nutrients without the algae, so they turn white. These animals can recover from bleaching if they can take algae back in, but they will die if they cannot.
While mass bleachings are terrifying occurrences, it doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. You can be part of the solution to saving coral reefs, as well as many other ecosystems on Earth. Believe it or not, you can help by cutting back on carbon emissions, one of the causes of global warming, by only driving your car when you have to. If you can walk to your destination, consider doing so, because you could save money, gas and the atmosphere. Plus, walking is good for you!
While you’re spending time walking in the great outdoors, you could combat carbon emissions even more by planting some trees. Trees take in carbon from the air in the form of carbon dioxide, so the more trees, the more carbon is being recycled. (You can find out more about carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases here.)
Speaking of recycling, another thing you can easily do is to recycle everything you can and to properly dispose of trash. While temperature change is the leading cause of coral bleaching, pollution plays another integral role. Without all of the extra plastic bottles and waste products floating around in the ocean, coral will stand a better chance of fighting against and recovering from bleaching. Also, if you recycle paper, it will be reused to make new products, which allows many trees to continue to stand and take in the extra carbon in the atmosphere. (You can find more easy ways to make a difference here.)
Finally, if you feel compelled, you can find an organization committed to the conservation of coral reefs and donate money. Some good options are the Coral Reef Alliance, which works with communities all over the world, and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, which is focused on research and conservation of this reef alone.
