Reef Week
Coral is all that's been on Greenpeace's mind this week.
On one side of the world we have a Great Barrier Reef mass bleaching unfolding as we speak, just off the coast of Australia. The vast wonder is suffocating under warmer temperatures - caused by climate change.
On Thursday, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority declared widespread damage from an underwater heatwave.
Here's something I learnt whilst researching, a bleaching doesn't mean the coral landscape has died; a bleaching can occur and later on bounce back into life. Learn something new every day!
Nevertheless, marine biologist Brett Monroe Garner expressed concern, after seeing these new images of the reef:
“Just a few months ago, these corals were full of colour and life. Now, everywhere you look is white. The corals aren’t getting the chance to bounce back from last year’s bleaching event. If this is the new normal, we’re in trouble.”
Death is swiftly approaching this coral.
Over on the other side, the roughly 9,500 square kilometers of reef, only discovered in April 2016, has already been targeted for nearby oil exploitation. Scientists say its make up of corals, sponges and calcareous algae has never been seen before - they are treating it as a new marine biome, We are only just discovering what unknown life could here whilst those powerful industries, Total & BP, plan to go all guns blazing - we've only just glimpsed at the wonders that may lurk in this great discovery, but, it's future is now threatened by an oil spill - so sudden after it revealed itself to us.
What comes next?
Both reefs are threatened by climate change - that, at the moment, seems the inevitable result. However both of them still hold a beautiful, almost pure, biodiversity in areas that can't be created synthetically.
Us humans are in awe of this vast ecosystem but somehow we, including I, forget all about it when we turn towards dirty energy and demand each millilitre of depleting fuel reserves.
Many of my friends talk of travel, exploration and beautiful sun-kissed beaches but if we want to keep these aspirations achievable for our next generation, we had better stop and think for a moment. If we're honest here, the chances of my (possible) children being able to see a living reef are becoming slim.
Now we must decide what actions to take - they don't always need to be big!
Following this link will lead you to Greenpeace's campaign where you can simply sign to show your disapproval of the plans of oil leaders. Our voices are becoming ever more powerful and uniting them is proving to have impact. We can stop this, as well as encourage it, based on our next action.
What will you choose do do with your voice?
H _ M
:)
Bibliography:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/10/great-barrier-reef-coral-bleaching-worsens-as-scientists-fear-heatwaves-impact
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/amazon-reef-brazil-new-endangered-discovery/blog/58596/
https://give.greenpeace.org.au/protectthereef?utm_campaign=CLIMATE&utm_source=Email&utm_term=EMF04-50&utm_content=EMF04-50-t&utm_medium=email&bucket=CLIMATE&source=ca_CLIMATE_.uso_Email_.uter_EMF04-50_.umed_email_.ucon_EMF04-50-t_._20170307113059_&src=EMF04-50&ea.tracking.id=ca_CLIMATE_.uso_Email_.uter_EMF04-50_.umed_email_.ucon_EMF04-50-t_._20170307113059_
https://amazonreefs.org/
 |
| Location of the Great Barrier Reef http://palnetshotel.blogspot.co.uk/20 12/11/great-barrier-reef-australia.html |
On Thursday, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority declared widespread damage from an underwater heatwave.
Here's something I learnt whilst researching, a bleaching doesn't mean the coral landscape has died; a bleaching can occur and later on bounce back into life. Learn something new every day!
Nevertheless, marine biologist Brett Monroe Garner expressed concern, after seeing these new images of the reef:
“Just a few months ago, these corals were full of colour and life. Now, everywhere you look is white. The corals aren’t getting the chance to bounce back from last year’s bleaching event. If this is the new normal, we’re in trouble.”
Death is swiftly approaching this coral.
 |
| Location of the newly discovered Amazon Reef http://earth-chronicles.com/science/near-the- mouth-of-the-amazon-discovered-coral-reef.html |
What comes next?
 |
| Brett Monroe Garner's photo of the recent coral bleaching https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/10/g reat-barrier-reef-coral-bleaching-worsens-a s-scientists-fear-heatwaves-impact |
Us humans are in awe of this vast ecosystem but somehow we, including I, forget all about it when we turn towards dirty energy and demand each millilitre of depleting fuel reserves.
Many of my friends talk of travel, exploration and beautiful sun-kissed beaches but if we want to keep these aspirations achievable for our next generation, we had better stop and think for a moment. If we're honest here, the chances of my (possible) children being able to see a living reef are becoming slim.
Now we must decide what actions to take - they don't always need to be big!
Following this link will lead you to Greenpeace's campaign where you can simply sign to show your disapproval of the plans of oil leaders. Our voices are becoming ever more powerful and uniting them is proving to have impact. We can stop this, as well as encourage it, based on our next action.
What will you choose do do with your voice?
H _ M
:)
Bibliography:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/10/great-barrier-reef-coral-bleaching-worsens-as-scientists-fear-heatwaves-impact
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/amazon-reef-brazil-new-endangered-discovery/blog/58596/
https://give.greenpeace.org.au/protectthereef?utm_campaign=CLIMATE&utm_source=Email&utm_term=EMF04-50&utm_content=EMF04-50-t&utm_medium=email&bucket=CLIMATE&source=ca_CLIMATE_.uso_Email_.uter_EMF04-50_.umed_email_.ucon_EMF04-50-t_._20170307113059_&src=EMF04-50&ea.tracking.id=ca_CLIMATE_.uso_Email_.uter_EMF04-50_.umed_email_.ucon_EMF04-50-t_._20170307113059_
https://amazonreefs.org/
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