Intro:
My research topic is the destruction and disappearance of coral reefs. Coral reefs are virtually some of the most diverse habitats on earth, making them key preservation sites if we are to maintain a healthy earth. Tropical seaside communities witness the impact of the coral reefs (and the ocean its self) on our economy, lifestyle, and society as a whole on a daily basis. However, following the principle of out of sight out of mind, individuals and communities who are landlocked may often loose sight of the priceless worth of coral reefs. In order to solve this problem, I have chosen college students and Vermonters as my target audiences.
What:
Similar to the rainforest, coral reefs are abundantly diverse habits that are simultaneously deathly sensitive to human impact and global warming. Rising ocean temperature due to absorbing excess CO2 causes coral polyps to force out algae that serves as its main source of energy, causing the reef to become “bleached” and lifeless. Large amounts of CO2 in the world’s water also weakens reef’s skeletons, leaving them extra vulnerable to damage from humans and nature a like. Reefs can also end up "blackened", due to shipwrecks releasing iron, Pollution from runoff and garbage, oil spills, sedimentation, costal development and careless tourism and fishing also play huge roles in the degradation of our coral reefs. Almost a fifth of the world’s coral reefs are on the path to destruction, if not already there and it is estimated that another thrity-five percent could be lost with in the next four decades.
So What:
Many people care about the future of coral reefs since they are part of nature, and therefore possess the right to exist as much as any dog or cat or human being. However, coral reefs provide us with a bountiful amount of resources important to human culture. First, they are diversity hot spots, and therefor necessary to reestablish a healthy, sustainable planet. As far as their direct impact on our communities, it is estimated the coral reefs provide us with $375 billion dollars in economic goods and service, through the tourism, fishing, and medical industries. Since college students and Vermonters may be unknowingly benefitting from coral reefs, while simultaneously aiding in their destruction, it important to update their knowledge and inspire a passion for environments at home and abroad.
Now What:
Obviously one the first step that can be done is for each person, country, and and company to dramatically reduce their carbon emissions down to 350 ppm. This will not only allows bleached and damaged reefs to recover, but habitats around the world. People must be educated about the effects their lifestyles produce around in habitats far and near, and about sustainable tourism and fishing practices. However, changing society’s attitudes and habits is a long, tiresome road. One effective, creative, and quicker solution is to create man man reefs. This is being done around the around the world through practices such as nursing broken, damaged coral back to health and providing it a habitat, such as a sunken ship to attach to. I believe to be a great manmade solution to the issues of disappearing biodiversity.
Analysis & Conclusion:
Coral reefs are one of the most important habits on earth and if we wish restore our earth to resilient health, they must be preserved. On a societal level, coral reefs also provide us with bountiful economic, social, and cultural benefits. Sadly, it seems that places like this of such uniqueness and value are the first to suffer from human consequences. I hope that through my campaign to raise awareness about the value of coral reefs, and what can be done to save them, it will be one small step on the long road to sustainable planet.
Target Audience:
Vermonters all around the state still get a great deal of their news from local papers, weather it is The Burlington Free Press or the Vermont Commons, and while they live far from a a warm, coastal lifestyle hopefully they will still be interested in the problem of coral reefs. My plan is to submit letters to editor to several newspapers around the state, in order to catch the eye readers. In order to reach Champlain College students, I will employ a more technological approach, providing information through my blog, Facebook, and brand new, confusing twitter account.
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Sources:
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Reef Alliance, 2010. Web. 06 Nov. 2011.
"Bermuda Oil Rig Cited In Reef Disaster." Bernews.com. 25 Oct. 2011. Web. 06 Nov. 2011.
Bruggers, James. "The Ocean Gets Something like Osteoporosis | James Bruggers – Watchdog Earth." Blogs | The Courier-Journal | Courier-journal.com. Corrier Journal, 22 Oct. 2011. Web. 06 Nov. 2011.
Deleaney, John. "New Book Proposes Solutions to Social and Ecological Challenges Posed by Climate Change." EurekAlert! - Science News. AAAS, 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 06 Nov. 2011.
Gibbons, Josh. "New Study Reveals Coral Reefs May Support Much More Biodiversity than Previously Thought." EurekAlert! - Science News. AAAS, 02 Nov. 2011. Web. 06 Nov. 2011.
Goodell, Jeff. "Climate Change and the End of Australia." Rollling Stone Magazine 13 Oct. 2011. Web.
Gustavson, Kent, Richard M. Huber, and H. Jack. Ruitenbeek. Integrated Coastal Zone Management of Coral Reefs: Decision Support Modeling. Washington, D.C.: World Bank, 2000. Print.
Hay, Mark. "From Marine Ecology to Drug Discovery - NYTimes.com." Field Research Around the Globe - Scientist at Work Blog - NYTimes.com. The New York Times, 24 Oct. 2011. Web. 06 Nov. 2011.
Miller, G. Tyler, and Scott Spoolman. "Sustaining Aquatic Biodiveristy." Living in the Environment. [Pacific Grove, Calif.?]: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning, 2012. Web.
Norse, Elliott A., and Larry B. Crowder. Marine Conservation Biology: the Science of Maintaining the Sea's Biodiversity. Washington: Island, 2005. Print.
Sherman, Ben. "US Residents Say Hawaii's Coral Reef Ecosystems worth $33.57 Billion per Year." Online Posting. EurekAlert! - Science News. AAAS, 21 Oct. 2011. Web. 06 Nov. 2011.
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