Our Coral Reefs Are in Danger [Archive] - MysticWicks Online Pagan Community and Spiritual Sanctuary

CloakofStars9

July 10th, 2003, 10:55 AM

BECOME A CORAL REEF CRUSADER

Coral reefs throughout the world provide food and shelter for thousands of species of fish and marine organisms and provide food and income for millions of people. They are also a promising source of new medicines. Each one of us has the ability to make responsible choices to help the world’s reefs. Even if you don’t live near the ocean, your actions still affect our marine environment. We can all make a difference. Here are five things you can do think Globally and Act Locally

http://www.coralfilm.com/images/iconShark.gifFor some simple ways each of us can get involved to help save coral reefs, check out the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago’s list of “10 Things You Can Do to Protect Aquatic Environments” at http://www.sheddnet.org/ (http://www.sheddnet.org/)

Every year, thousands of marine animals die from man-made trash that ends up in the world’s oceans. Try some of these suggestions to do your part to keep our oceans clean:
1. Reduce, reuse and recycle at home, work and school.
2. Buy products made from recycled materials and that have little or no packaging.
3. Keep storm drains clean – remember they drain to watersheds, beaches and rivers.
4. Recycle used motor oil.
5. Reduce carbon dioxide in the air by planting trees and driving fuel- efficient cars.Education Helps

The more you know, the more you can help coral reefs. Read newspapers, magazine articles and the many web resources to stay on top of marine issues and be aware of the many threats to marine life. Contact your government representative to vote responsibly on conservation and pollution issues.Be a Conscious Consumer

When you eat seafood, choose only seafood that is not endangered. The National Audubon Society's Living Oceans Program publishes a seafood guide called "What's a Fish Lover to Eat?” that gives more information on how to choose your seafood responsibly. (http://magazine.audubon.org/seafood/guide/ (http://magazine.audubon.org/seafood/guide/)). http://www.coralfilm.com/images/iconFish2.gif Get your Feet Wet as a member of the Reef Check Team

Become part of a valuable team of coral reef researchers as you collect data on the health of coral reefs around the world. For more information on how to get involved, visit their website at http://www.reefcheck.org/ (http://www.reefcheck.org/)

CloakofStars9

July 10th, 2003, 10:57 AM

http://www.coralfilm.com/images/h_support.gifhttp://www.coralfilm.com/images/spacer10x10.gif
http://www.coralfilm.com/images/p_Support1.jpg (javascript:MM_openBrWindow('p_Support1.html','p_Support1','scrollbars=no,resizable=no,width=500,hei ght=455'))http://www.coralfilm.com/images/p_Support2.jpg (javascript:MM_openBrWindow('p_Support2.html','p_Support2','scrollbars=no,resizable=no,width=500,hei ght=455'))http://www.coralfilm.com/images/spacer10x10.gifhttp://www.coralfilm.com/images/p_Support3.jpg (javascript:MM_openBrWindow('p_Support3.html','p_Support3','scrollbars=no,resizable=no,width=500,hei ght=455')) http://www.coralfilm.com/images/spacer10x10.gifCoral reefs are among the most biologically diverse communities on the planet. And yet none is more in danger of perishing in our lifetimes. Threats such as over-fishing, coastal development and rising sea temperatures caused by global warming are decimating sensitive corals and shredding the web of life they support. According to the United Nations’ Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, 10% of the world’s reefs have died in the past 4 years, and nearly a quarter are sick and suffering. More than half of the remaining reefs are seriously threatened, and scientists estimate that if today’s trends continue, corals may vanish entirely within the next 40 years.

Fortunately, there is a growing global effort by concerned individuals, non-profit organizations, and some governments dedicated to reversing this decline and to finding new and sustainable solutions for managing the world’s coral reefs. For those interested in learning more about how to support coral reef conservation efforts, the following list offers links to organizations that are working hard to ensure that coral reefs remain a vital ecosystem for generations to come. Your support will help them carry on with their important work and help preserve the natural balance of our marine ecosystems.
Reef Check

http://www.coralfilm.com/images/ReefCheck.gif (http://www.reefcheck.org/) One group working to protect coral reef ecosystems around the world is MacGillivray Freeman Film’s education partner Reef Check (http://www.reefcheck.org/). An international non-profit organization, Reef Check has volunteers all over the world working with business sectors such as tourism, diving, surfing and the marine aquarium trade, to develop mutually beneficial solutions that restore and maintain coral reef health, including the creation of self-funding Marine Protected Areas. To find out more or to get involved, visit www.reefcheck.org (http://www.reefcheck.org/).
Other Organizations and Resources
Related Websites

You can join the fight to save coral reef ecosystems by supporting the Project AWARE Foundation's Protect the Living Reef campaign. The Project AWARE Foundation, established by PADI, is the dive industry's leading non-profit organization dedicated to conserving and preserving our aquatic resources. For more information on what you can do to save coral reefs, go to www.padi.com/aware/english/get-involved/livingreef (http://www.padi.com/aware/english/get-involved/livingreef)

www.aquariumcouncil.org (http://www.aquariumcouncil.org/) . . . Marine Aquarium Council, a regulatory group whose mission is to conserve coral reefs and other marine ecosystems by creating standards and certification for those engaged in the collection and care of ornamental marine life from reef to aquarium.

www.coral.org (http://www.coral.org/) . . . The Coral Reef Alliance, a member-supported, non-profit organization, dedicated to keeping coral reefs alive around the world, offers news and a comprehensive listing of Non-government organizations (NGO’s) involved in global reef conservation worldwide.

www.reef.org (http://www.reef.org/) . . . REEF, another survey organization like Reef Check

www.greenpeace.org (http://www.greenpeace.org/) . . . Reef conservation is among the many environmental issues tackled by this activist oriented group.

www.oceanfutures.org (http://www.oceanfutures.org/) . . . Jean-Michel Cousteau’s brainchild, Ocean Futures Society, produced Cities Under the Sea: Coral Reefs CD Rom, film Rainforests http://www.coralfilm.com/images/iconFish2.gifof the Sea and other educational media.

www.all-species.org (http://www.all-species.org/) . . . The ALL Species Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the complete inventory of all species of life on Earth within the next 25 years - a human generation. The website is currently assembling a complete taxonomic search engine for all currently known species.

www.epa.gov/globalwarming (http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming) . . . Environmental Protection Agency website all about global warming, it’s effects, recommended actions, etc.

www.icriforum.org (http://www.icriforum.org/) . . . International Coral Reef Initiative, a partnership among nations and organisations seeking to implement international conventions and agreements for the benefit of coral reefs and related ecosystems, established in order to stop and reverse the global degradation of coral reefs and related ecosystems.
www.reefnet.org (http://www.reefnet.org/). . . Reefnet, an internet information service designed to increase the understanding of coral reef ecosystems world wide.

www.unep-wcmc.org (http://www.unep-wcmc.org/) . . . The United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre provides information for policy and action to conserve the living world.

www.reefbase.org (http://www.reefbase.org/) . . . Reefbase, a global database on coral reefs initiated by the Manila-based International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), includes excellent data on reefs, maps atlases of world reef and mangrove systems, monitoring, surveys, lists of natural and anthropogenic stresses to coral reefs, etc.
http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html (http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/lists/coral-list.html) . . . Coral-list server, a clearinghouse for internet forum discussions of coral reef topics including scientists and organizations all over the world.

www.coralreef.noaa.gov (http://www.coralreef.noaa.gov/) . . . National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Online, a wealth of information regarding coral reefs.

www.icran.org (http://www.icran.org/) . . . International Coral Reef Action Network, set up by UNEP to halt and reverse the decline of the health of the world 's coral reefs.

www.sprl.umich.edu/GCL/paper_to_html/coral.html (http://www.sprl.umich.edu/GCL/paper_to_html/coral.html) . . . Introduction to Global Change, class lecture notes on reef ecosystem and global climate change.

http://coralreef.gov (http://coralreef.gov/) . . . United States Coral Reef Task Force, initiated by President Clinton in 1998, to lead the U.S. response to the global reef crisis.

www.globalcoral.org (http://www.globalcoral.org/) . . . The Global Coral Reef Alliance, a small, organization founded in 1990 and dedicated to growing, protecting and managing coral reefs.

www.environmentaldefense.org (http://www.environmentaldefense.org/) . . .Environmental Defense newsletter regarding wide range of environmental issues, including reef related ones.
http://www.nwf.org/productions/coralreef/ (http://www.nwf.org/productions/coralreef/) ... Learn more about coral reef habitat and ways you can help preserve them on this website from the National Wildlife Federation.