The Salty Datasheet: July 2015

First let me start this blog to tell you more about the place I have been working the last several years…the Great Barrier Reef. It is one of the world’s living wonders, and a place that has been put on just about everyone’s bucket list. Quite frankly, it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ll ever see in my lifetime.

As many of you may know, it is one of the largest living organisms spanning 1430 miles (2300km), just off the coast of Queensland, Australia. So large, we can see it from space! As one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, it maintains a variety of wildlife such as colorful fish, turtles, sharks, rays, crocodiles, whales, dolphins, dugongs, and so much more. Most of all, it is made up of hundreds of different coral species that create a place for all these creatures to live.

The Reef is in trouble!

Despite the GBR’s general awesomeness, it is in trouble. Serious trouble. In the last 30 years, overall coral cover in the GBR has declined by half. And this is only within the time period the reef was actually monitored, it is likely to have declined before this time. Some sites are only a shell of what they once were. In particular, the coastal reefs and those closest to human civilization are nowhere near what they should be. Many of these areas are now overgrown with algae and sediment, with little coral in sight. If the decline of these reef continue at this rate, the GBR as we know it will be gone within our lifetime.

Algae overgrowing coral, Magnetic Island, Australia (2014) Photo cred: Reef Check Australia

The Problem

So you might have seen some of the “SAVE THE REEF” campaigns, and thought: “Whhhhaaatt? Those stupid tree loving hippies are so over dramatic. That scuba diving magazine just told me to come visit the reef, because it was beautiful and healthy, and amazing! Thanks for nothing Obama.”

Well, I admit, those stupid tree loving hippies can be overdramatic about some issues, they are not wrong about the dire situation the reef is in.

There are many overlapping impacts that are not only affecting the GBR, but just about all ocean ecosystems as well. This includes warmer waters, damage from increased intensity and frequency of storms, overfishing, pollution, excess nutrients from coastal runoff, and much, much more. As slow growing, long lived, and sensitive animals, corals are being hit hard with these compounding factors, and are unable to recuperate fast enough to rebuild. Without coral, there is no habitat, and without habitat, there is nowhere for all the other amazing creatures to live.

What can YOU do?

Yes, the reef is declining, but there is still hope…if we change NOW. I don’t know about you, but I would love my children to have the chance to see the reef for themselves, and not just in pictures. No matter where you are in the world, a few simple changes can go a long way. ALL ecosystems are connected. We, as a global community, can work together to bring the oceans as a whole to a healthier state.

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

Unfortunately, plastic and other debris can travel, and much can find its way into our water systems and oceans. And the more garbage we have, the more it finds its way into our oceans.

Twinkie crate from Kansas City found in Australia. See here for the whole story!

If you can, limit your purchases with plastic packaging and buy more items in glass bottles, and dispose of them properly. And of course, remember to use those reusable bags!!! My trick is always have a few in my purse.

If only bananas had some sort of natural, biodegradable wrapping that protected the inside...

Context: Sea turtles don’t just have smelly farts… they can consume plastic often develop a sickness called floating syndrome. The indigestible plastic becomes lodged into their intestines, creating a buildup of gas, which prohibits the turtle to descend underwater. Approximately 36% of Australian seaturtles are affected by marine litter Photo cred:amcs.org.au

2. Ride a bike if you can!

Excess carbon emissions are creating a multitude of problems in the world’s oceans, particularly in the GBR. Rising CO₂ levels are causing warmer waters which leads to coral bleaching and death, and ocean acidification, which impairs coral and fish growth and behavior.

If enough of us reduce our carbon emissions by riding bikes (or a kangaroo is you have one), or walking when we can, we may be able to make a difference. Plus, it is great exercise! Who can complain about that?

3. Reduce nutrient rich runoff, by watering lawns less

Runoff from farms are not the only ones creating nutrient rich runoff from fertilizers. Collectively, people from around the world use fertilizer to help their lawns and gardens grow. While the use of fertilizer is not totally a problem, people tend to over water their lawns, which causes runoff into storm drains, which eventually lead to the ocean.

If you think about it, millions of people of doing this can make quite an impact. Simple tricks like using drip systems or letting your sprinkler system run only a few minutes at a time, a few times a day, can eliminate this problem. Plus, it saves water...which also saves money!

This is an AMAZING video that is more specific to Southern California, but has some great information and tips on how to conserve water, and reduce runoff. (2:58-4:42-talks more about the use of water at home).