http://www.care2.com/greenliving/protect-the-worlds-coral-reefs.html
Protect the World’s Coral Reefs
By Robyn Erler, Contributor and Care2 Senior Campaign Manager
Did you know those eye-catching red pieces of coral on popular necklaces actually represent the harvesting of a slow-growing animal of the sea?
Corallium, also known as red or pink coral, and the most valuable of the precious corals, has an average growth rate of less than 1 inch per year. Think about that next time you’re in the market or jewelry store, and make a pledge not to buy or give coral as gifts. Every act counts!
Corals vary in size, shape, and color; some form stony, hard structures, others are soft. But the one thing corals have in common is they are all animals.
Given their beauty and variety, it’s no wonder that corals are popular as curio, jewelry and aquarium items. Although it is possible to grow some coral species in captivity, the trade depends primarily on wild collection. Most coral species grow very slowly and demand is increasing, so the time to act on behalf of these fragile ecosystems is now.
The International Year of the Reef in 2008 is a yearlong campaign of events aimed at persuading people to act to benefit reefs, and this pledge is part of the effort. Take one action to benefit coral reefs: Pledge to help keep corals in the wild.
Pledge to fight global warming
You can help fight global warming and save coral reefs at the same time. Global warming can threaten corals by increasing the amount of acid in the ocean and causing the sea level to rise. Increasing ocean temperatures can bleach coral, too.
But Energy Star estimates that if every household in America replaced just one light bulb with a compact fluorescent, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, save more than $600 million in annual energy costs and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. Pledge to replace a light bulb today, and let your conservation light shine! Every act counts!
Pledge to keep the oceans clean
More than half the world’s coral reefs are threatened and what you do in your own backyard can affect their health. Chemicals found in detergents and fertilizers are washed into waterways and stimulate algae growth, which in turn blocks sunlight and starves coral reefs. Your choice in fertilizers and cleaning products directly impacts the ocean and corals. Every act counts!
Coral reefs are the richest shallow water marine ecosystems on Earth, hosting more than 25 percent of the world’s fish biodiversity. Reefs and associated ecosystems, such as mangroves, provide coastal protection and serve as nursing grounds for many economically important species.
Corals are tiny animals that live in harmony with photosynthetic algae. Both organisms benefit and thrive in clear waters with low nutrients. But when phosphorous and nitrogen levels increase, due to deforestation, ill-planned development, and agricultural runoff, the balance is disturbed. Just one pound of phosphorus in water produces an estimated 500 pounds of algae, blocking sunlight and starving coral reefs.
Do your part by using naturally derived and biodegradable detergents and cleaning products. Minimize fertilizer impacts by avoiding phosphorus products, use one pound or less per 1,000 square feet of turf area for nitrogen (half that amount is needed in shade), and plant endemic vegetation.
Every action counts! Go to the petition site to take the pledge.
Spread awareness by sending an eCard today.
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15 comments
add your comment »very interesting loved it.
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Thank you for the info very informative....
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thanks for the article~!
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Pickerel Weed, you can find a good article about the source of coral calcium and its effects on the health of the world's coral beds at http://tinyurl.com/695eey
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I was snorkling in Key West and had the opportunity to see a beautiful Coral Reef. The reef was protected and if you touched anything there was a $500.00 fine. That's one of the ways to protect coral reefs. We should all be concerned about our oceans and protect them, we are in their territory and we should not pollute the oceans. I pick up my trash and that of others to help in saving our oceans. What can you do?
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i'd like to know about coral calcium that is sold as a nutritional supplement. where does that come from? i can't believe they grind up coral reefs for that!
laura, they really are interesting little critters...coelenterates, like hydra...i love watching them under a microscope. it's amazing how many tiny creatures exist that we never notice and these guys...many, many of them create these large beautiful habitates that so many other animals call home. it takes a long time, but can be destroyed in so little time! sad.
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No matter what we do, the upper classes will go on satisfying their greed without caring about the consequences of their actions.
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Great article, Robyn!
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Fishkeepers should be aware when choosing decorations for their tanks. Just one of the things you can add to your tank that have a detrimental effect on the very thing that fascinates us
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What a great article! Thanks for all the great info.
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