Coral Reef Awareness: Why we need to care

Coral reefs: underwater invertebrates that support billions of forms of life, from the most microscopic to our ocean’s largest mammals, even us humans. 

Most well known for being colorful and brilliant, corals are actually usually without color. The vibrance comes from a symbiotic relationship with colorful algae that helps them survive.

These underwater creatures are often mistaken for plants, but they are indeed animals. Hard corals extract calcium carbonate from the water and turn it into the hard exoskeletons that make up a reef. Inside, their soft bodies are well protected. Soft corals, like sea fans and sea whips, do not create reefs but still are important in the biodiversity of our seas. Whether hard or soft, corals are crucial to our ocean’s health. They are also crucial to our own health and well being as well. 

Why our corals are important: 

• Corals sustain a quarter of ALL marine life, making reefs as biodiverse as our rainforests

• Coral reefs protect our coastlines from destruction. They form strong barriers that slow down waves that would otherwise damage homes, towns and other infrastructure. 

• Scientists have already have found medicines and medical components within corals and it’s reliant species, including cures for cancers. 

• Coral reefs provide food for over 500 million humans living on or near the coast. 

• Coral reefs generate 30 billion dollars every year due to underwater tourism and provide millions of jobs in the tourism industry. 

What is happening to corals? 

• Global warming is the leading cause of coral reef devastation. The rising water temperatures is stressing the corals to the point of death. 

What is the state of corals today? 

• 50% of the world’s corals have been killed in the last 30 years
• 90% are projected to die by 2100
• 75% of all remaining corals today are threatened or endangered
• Of the 29 World Heritage Reef sites, at least 25 will be devastated by 2050 (National Geographic, June 2017)
• Many areas are already facing the repercussions of storm surges, lack of food and higher tides. 

What needs to be done to change this? 

The biggest changes that need to be made are cutting down our greenhouse emissions globally. We need government  policies to change, as well as massive investment into research and development to make our planet carbon neutral. Reforestation, stopping forest destruction, electric vehicles, monitoring factory emissions, reducing meat consumption--all of these need to work together. It's going to take a group effort and many strategies at once to become a carbon neutral planet. Every action counts. 

 

What can we do as individuals? 

• Use Marine Safe Sunscreen. Avoid any ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are toxic to corals. Zinc oxide based sunscreens are coral safe.  
• Do not touch corals, anchor near them or stir up sediment that can smother them. 
• Do not buy any real coral products, for home decorations, jewelry or aquariums. 
• Reduce your water consumption which leads to runoff into our oceans. 
• Be mindful of what you put down your sink
• Chemicals, fertilizers cause algal blooms and damage reefs
• Recycle in your home
• Recyclables do not end up in the ocean
• Reduce our beef consumption as the cattle farming accounts for as many greenhouse emission as the entire US
• Volunteer at beach cleanups
• Donate to Coral Reef conservation projects
• Watch this video from Sheba, which launched the largest Coral Reef Restoration program. 
• Watch Help Restore Coral Reefs here.  

• We are proud supporters of the Coral Reef Alliance. Consider purchasing a Coral Reef pendant, which donates part of the profits to their rehabilitation efforts. 

Our 14k solid yellow gold coral reef pendant

 

We are offering a special discount on our coral reef pendant and sea star for the month of June. Use "OceanChampion" at checkout.