Save the Coral Reefs in 2008

2008 has been declared the International Year of the Reef. As someone who has had the immense pleasure of snorkeling in Australia's Great Barrier Reef -- twice -- and regularly watches a fantastic National Geographic video on the coral reefs in the Caribbean, this issue is near and dear to my heart.

Coral reefs, sadly, are in great danger due to the abuses of humankind. I'll let the experts explain why they're important, and why they're in peril.

With the majority of humankind living in coastal regions, many people depend on living coral reefs for food and protection from storm surges and erosion, as well as the additional benefits of medical research, tourism and aesthetic beauty. Coral reefs contribute about 25 percent of the total fish catch in developing countries, providing food for one billion people in Asia alone. The calmer area behind a reef can shelter sea grass beds and mangrove forests that service as important nurseries for the young of even more fish and shellfish. - World Wildlife Federation

However...

Coral reefs are being degraded by an accumulation of stresses arising from human activities. In simple terms, stresses can be grouped by the actions of people extracting material from, and placing materials upon, coral reefs. Over-fishing, pollution and coastal development top the list of chronic stressors. In many situations chronic stresses are overwhelming the resilience, (or the capacity for self-repair), of reef communities. Some coral reefs are covered with sand, rock and concrete to make cheap land and stimulate economic development. Others are dredged or blasted for their limestone or to improve navigational access and safety. In addition to this, long-term changes in the oceans and atmosphere (rising sea temperatures and levels of CO2), and acute stresses from highly variable seasons, severe storms, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions also affect coral reefs. -International Year of the Reef

I encourage you to take a little time to learn more about coral reefs, consider how our energy use is perpetuating the changes in the Earth's climate that are endangering them, and maybe even make a donation to those organizations working to save them.