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| Photograph courtesy of "Help Protect Coral Reefs" |
Being educated
justifies a persons actions, and decisions. Over time that education turns into
knowledge, which becomes reality. Building up ones intelligence helps people
realize right from wrong. Coral reefs are incredibly important to our oceans,
people’s well-being, and many more.
What people may
not know is the fact that “coral reefs and other
coastal ecosystems such as seagrasses and mangroves are widely recognized to
provide protection against the devastating effects of strong waves associated
with tsunamis and storms” (2). With the destructions that tsunamis and other
storms can cause, coral reefs are essentially helping us. Knowing that coral
reefs are valuable to the environment and to humans, should navigate peoples
choices into wanting to pollute less. Additional information, “is that reefs provide protection to the coast from strong
waves and that a rising sea level will diminish this protective function unless
growth of the corals are ensured so that reef growth can catch up with
increasing sea level” (2). Having this understanding that sea level rise has a
direct impact in relation to the coral reefs shows how vital coral reefs are to
our world. Going through tsunamis, or other terrible storms will hopefully
diminish in the future if people take action to create a better ocean
environment for the coral reefs.
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| Photograph courtesy of "Misubishi Coporation" |
Creating that better
environment consists of the following, “minimizing activities such as illegal
and destructive blast and poison fishing methods, pollution and siltation, is
crucial to minimize the impacts of high-energy waves that may increase with
climate change” (2). With this information being presented to the public the
reefs will have a better chance of blossoming. Spreading this awareness to a
larger spectrum of people will hopefully, draw them closer to an end result in
constructive change. Therefore, it is crucial to know the purpose of coral
reefs, because they can ultimately save lives. Coral reefs are a strong
benefactor to how oceans, fish life, people, and storms can function, and
destroying that beautiful naturalistic setting defeats their whole purpose. “Such
information is important, as coral reef fish assemblages are the most species
dense vertebrate communities on earth, contributing critical ecosystem
functions and providing crucial ecosystem services to human societies in
tropical countries” (1). This statement reflects how imperative it is to have
coral reefs along with their habitats. Coral reefs have a wide array of
purposes that only benefit the world. There is nothing negative about coral
reefs, except the fact that bleaching is occurring too much resulting in death.
Overall, the coral reef
population and the fish present within those communities, shape our world into
something better. Knowing how to regulate sea levels will ultimately keep the
coral reefs do their job of guarding the human population from unsettling
storms.
The educational aspect of coral reefs is
not as adamant as other types of basic learning. If individuals want to focus
on this type of subject matter, doing independent research would be more
helpful. This can be the reason why many people do not have the accurate
familiarity within this area of study in the first place. Learning about coral
reefs is not on the higher end of social hierarchy in today’s world. By making
a change and showing people how important and essential it is to have coral
reefs, maybe it will rise up in becoming something society yearns for. “Nonetheless, to maintain
reef growth, it is imperative to manage coral reef ecosystems sustainably and
to eliminate the stressors that are within human control” (2). Once that human
control becomes second nature to society, services and encouragements will be
met. Then our oceans would be able to go back to their healthy roles that they once endured before.
Is'nt everything better in color? Help make a change.
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| Photograph courtesy of "Coral Bleaching may be Caused by Viruses" |
Knowing that one is making a
change and projecting his or her beliefs into something they are passionate
about only shows the strength and determination one has to adjust our world. With
the learning experience that person achieves from his or her actions, hopefully
unity will be met in the long run, because making a difference only shows how
people can accomplish something that is greatly appreciated. Therefore, making
it clear that coral reefs are something people need in the world in order
thrive should be the first step into making the world healthier.
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| Photograph courtesy of Flickr |
"Coral Bleaching Maybe Caused by
Viruses." Leonardos Reef. N.p., 2 Aug. 2012. Web.
"Global Coral Reef Conservation Project." Mitsubishi
Corporation. Mitsubishi Corporation, 2013. Web.
1. Graham, Nicholas A., Tim R. McClanahan,
M. Aaran MacNeil, and Shaun K. Wilson. "Climate Warming, Marine Protected
Areas and the Ocean-Scale Integrity of Coral Reef Ecosystems." Climate
Warming, Marine Protected Areas and the Ocean-Scale Integrity of Coral Reef
Ecosystems. 3.8 (2008): n. pag. Web of Science. Web.
"Help Protect Coral Reefs." Help
Protect Coral Reefs. United Nations Foundation, n.d. Web.
"Papua New Guinean Girl Urging Coral
Reef Protection." Flickr. Yahoo!, 24 Feb. 2012. Web.
2. Villanoy, Cesar, Laura David,
Olivia Cabrera, Michael Atrigenio, Fernando Siringan, Porfirio Alino, and Maya
Villaluz. "Coral Reef Ecosystems Protect Shore from High-Energy Waves
Under Climate Change Scenarios." Climate Change (2012): n. pag. Web of Science. Web.
"'We Have to Make Sure We Keep Reefs
Healthy'" NBCNews.com. N.p., 20 June 2012. Web.
