One Reef At A Time

To restore coral reefs that are damaged because of global warming, natural disasters and human impact. Corals across the globe are declining and if something isn’t done soon we will lose these ecosystems. Coral reef ecosystems are primarily found around the equator, and are located for the most part around remote islands. It just so happens that many of these countries are struggling economically and are among the most impoverished communities globally. Coral reefs provide a valuable economic resource to these communities, providing food and a large tourism industry which provides much of the income for these areas. I would like to work with the local communities to help them use this resource responsibly, ensuring its continued use and availability for generations to come. A practice such as dynamite fishing, harvesting corals to sell, and cyanide fishing degrades the reef. Natural disasters such as Hurricane Allen’s in Jamaica damaged the reefs and the urchin population. Because of the low urchin population algae grew out of control and were able to take over the reefs, killing many corals which survived the storm. Restoring this reef would not only help the environment but the community who relies on this resource as their way of life. I am very interested in working with these local communities and want to provide a resource for them. Many of these communities don’t have the access or the knowledge to maintain and restore their reefs. Without the reefs, many of these areas would face increased poverty then there is now.