Found in Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is considered one of the seven natural wonders (and a United Nations World Heritage Site) of the world alongside the Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, and the Northern Lights. The reef has that title for a reason -- it is a marvel. It is the world's most expansive reef ecosystem with around 2,500 individual reefs, over 900 islands, thousands of species of fish, coral, mollusk, and hundreds of varieties of birds. For centuries, even millennia, the Great Barrier Reef has offered spectacular views that have become a testament to how glorious underwater life can be.
It is not just beautiful, though. Coral reefs are essential to our world because they protect coastlines from storms and erosion, shelter thousands of marine life, and provide jobs for the fishing industry. Recently, they have started to be used to develop medicine to treat cancer, arthritis, heart disease, viruses, and other diseases. They are not just critical to our ocean’s ecosystem but to the future of humankind.
Yet, for the last several years, reefs have been suffering. The vibrant corals that come in a myriad of shapes, sizes, and shades are fading out to depressing whites and grays. Please note that corals are “among the most long-lived species on the planet”; they can live for thousands of years without looking like they are a day over two decades. So, why are they bleaching?
Humans are the reason. As our fossil fuel usage levels rise, so does the heat level trapped within our atmosphere. First, the heat increases our oceans' temperatures, which stresses out corals and causes them to expel algae -- their primary food source -- out of their tissues. While they aren’t dead, they do become more susceptible to fatal diseases and risk dying. It does not help that ocean acidification (when the ocean becomes more acidic due to increased carbon dioxide) can lower their chance of surviving a bleaching event.
Climate change continues to affect the oceans and will not stop until we take action. Some ways you can help include the following:
Visit the Great Barrier Reef.
Every visitor will pay an Environmental Management Charge, a tourism fee, and fund the Marine Park’s daily management and fund the research that goes towards the reef. You’ll also see the reef’s beauty up close and feel more passionate to save it.
Join the Coral Nurture Program & plant your coral.
This program takes advantage of how the Great Barrier Reef brings in many tourists to spread awareness about coral revitalization efforts. The Australian and Queensland Government Coral Abundance Challenge sponsor them to aid the reef’s recovery via planting corals, which ensures that reef sites stay healthy by boosting coral numbers. https://www.coralnurtureprogram.org/
Adopt a coral with the Reef Restoration Foundation.
For only $50, you can watch your very own coral grow from a tiny, penny-sized baby to a majestic, full-grown beauty. By adopting a coral, you will also receive a certificate with your name! If you have even more money to spare, spend $500 to adopt a coral branch, $10,000 for a coral tree, and $80,000 for a whole nursery! https://reefrestorationfoundation.org/collections/be-a-coral-crusader
Donate to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
By donating, you can support the conservation of endangered marine species, assist in fighting against threats that the Great Barrier Reef faces, and finance necessary research that goes towards its protection. https://www.barrierreef.org/you-can-help/donate
Spread awareness about coral bleaching.
Unfortunately, not many people are aware of what coral bleaching is or how it’s happening. However, it’s a very prominent issue that deserves more attention. Would you mind sending this article or some of the resources cited at the bottom to your friends, family, and acquaintances? These are also some helpful videos: How Scientists Are Restoring The Great Barrier Reef | Travel + Leisure, Rising Ocean Temperatures are "Cooking" Coral Reefs | National Geographic, and What is coral bleaching? Can it be fixed?
Decrease your carbon footprint.
Not only will decreasing your carbon footprint help the world in hundreds of ways, but it’s also easy to do. For your daily commute, you could cycle, walk, or use public transportation instead of driving. Instead of plastic straws, spoons, or forks, opt for paper or metal ones. Using less water, turning off the lights, eating less beef and drinking non-dairy milk, reuse goods, and eating locally produced food are just some ways to reduce your footprint. If it seems too daunting to do all of these, start small!
Learn more at the following links:
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