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Half of the world's coral reefs have died in the last 30 years. The fight to save the remaining reefs just got more complicated. New research shows that even if people succeed in protecting reefs from pollution and overfishing, global warming remains a deadly threat.

The researchers published their study in the journal Nature. They looked at data from recent bleaching events in the Great Barrier Reef. It is off the coast of Australia. Warm water temperatures, pollution, and overfishing can lead coral to bleach and die.

The bleaching events in the study were largely caused by rising water temperature. The researchers found that efforts to improve water quality and stop overfishing did not increase the reefs' chances of survival.

Coral looks like rock, but it is actually made up of many tiny animals and their skeletons. Reefs are home to one in every four species in the ocean. Reefs also protect coastlines from the force of powerful storms.

Researchers say the results of the study highlight the importance of fighting climate change. Reefs could become extinct if temperatures continue to rise at the current rate.

But there's still time to protect the world's remaining reefs, says one of the study's authors, Terry Hughes. He's the director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.

"If temperatures keep rising, we'll see bleaching on most reefs around the world," Hughes says. "[But] we still have a narrowing window of opportunity to save all of the coral reefs."

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Half of the world's coral reefs have died in the last 30 years. The fight to save the remaining reefs just got more complicated. New research shows that even if people succeed in protecting reefs from pollution and overfishing, global...

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Did you know that more wildlife lives around coral reefs than in any other part of the ocean? Find out more about these important ecosystems in our coral reef facts...
What are coral reefs?

When you look at a coral reef, you might think that you are seeing a group of colourful rocks. But don't be mistaken! Reefs are actually made out of living creatures called coral.

Where are coral reefs found?

Coral reefs can be found all over the world! However, most coral reefs grow in shallow, clean ocean waters on either side of the Equator, because they need sunlight and warm temperatures all year to survive.

Some famous coral reefs include the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Amazon Reef in Brazil and French Guiana, the Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines and the Miami Terrace Reef in the United States.

Quick facts about coral reefs...

- Coral have growth rings, just like trees!

- The first coral reefs formed on Earth 240 million years ago. That's before the dinosaurs were alive!

- Most coral reefs today are between 5,000 and 10,000 years old.

- There are more than 800 different types of hard coral around the world.

- The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system on Earth. You can even see it from space!

Life in coral reefs

Lots of different types of sea creatures call coral reefs their home - giant clams, starfish, sea turtles, , eels, cuttlefish and many, many more. The reefs provide this diverse range of animals with everything they need, including food and shelter.

A lot of animals who live on the reef camouflage themselves to blend amongst the coral, either to stay safe from other animals or to hide as they hunt.

Plants also live on reefs. Algae live inside soft coral, using sunlight to provide food and help the coral grow. In other areas, sea grass provides food for sea animals like dugongs and turtles.

Why are coral reefs endangered?

The biggest threats to coral reefs are spilling into the oceans, damage from ships and boats, and climate change, which makes the water warmer and more acidic.

Save our coral reefs!

To save our coral reefs, many people are working hard to clean up the pollution on land and in the sea. Some countries have even protected their coral reefs.

You can help save coral reefs too, by following some simple tips:

- Conserve your water use, by turning off taps when you brush your teeth!

- If you're lucky enough to go diving, look at the coral - but don't touch it! Touching coral can disturb it, and sometimes kill it.

- Spread the word and tell your friends about how they can help save the planet!

All images: Pixabay

Did you enjoy reading our coral reef facts? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

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Coral reef facts for kids! - National Geographic Kids

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Learn about coral reefs in our coral reef facts for kids. What are coral reefs and where are they found? What lives inside coral reefs?

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Click the + or - buttons to adjust the water temperature and pollution levels.

Click on the green "Start Storm" button to create a storm that will go by.

See what happens to the coral reef depending on the various conditions you choose!

Coral bleaching? What's that?!

A reef is a big group of rocks on the ocean floor, but did you know that a coral reef is actually alive and covered with very small animals called corals? These animals glue their tiny skeletons to rocks, so they end up staying in the same place their entire lives!

Coral reefs are very sensitive to light and temperature. If the water they live in gets too hot, they might not survive. They also don't like it when the ocean has too much pollution. Sometimes, storms can even upset coral depending on how often they happen and how severe they are. If coral reefs are under too much stress, like in these conditions, they can eject the algae living on them and turn completely white. This is known as coral bleaching. This does not necessarily mean the coral is dead - corals can survive bleaching! They do become more vulnerable to death however, especially if the stress continues for a long period of time.

NASA recently developed some very sensitive instruments to study coral reefs from an airplane flying above the ocean. The COral Reef Airborne Laboratory (CORAL) uses an instrument called the Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer (PRISM) to see the condition of reefs. Scientists will now be able to monitor these reefs and their health. They will be able to measure the amounts of coral, algae, and sand on the ocean floor!

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Learn what factors lead to coral bleaching.

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/ Posted in What you can do

Calling all parents, teachers, and caregivers! Are you looking for a fun, hands-on activity to teach your child about the ocean? Look no further. We've put together a "Kids' Guide to Coral Reef Conservation," designed to teach your little ones about some of the ocean's most valuable and biodiverse ecosystems: coral reefs.

Despite covering just 0.1% of the earth's surface, coral reefs contain the highest number of species of any ecosystems, other than rainforests. From vibrant schools of fish to our beloved sea turtles to sneaky reef sharks, so many species call coral reefs their home. Human populations also rely on coral reefs-they provide food, income, coastal protection, and other benefits to nearly a billion people.

Join Our Alliance of Kid Conservationists
It's predicted that if we don't take action, 90% of the world's coral reefs will be threatened by 2030. If we want to enjoy the beauty and endless benefits of our oceans and coral reef ecosystems, we need to take action today!
Aren't convinced yet? Listen to a fellow kid conservationist! Like us, 8-year-old Maya is dedicated to saving the world's coral reefs and she'd like other kids to join her in the fight.

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Kids' Guide to Coral Reef Conservation - Coral Reef Alliance

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Calling all parents, teachers, and caregivers! Are you looking for a fun, hands-on activity to teach your child about the ocean? Look no further. We've put together a "Kids' Guide to Coral Reef Conservation," designed to teach your little ones about some of the ocean's most valuable and biodiverse ecosystems: coral reefs.

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Coral Reef Alliance- Coral Reefs for kids PDF

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Coral Reef Alliance- Coral Reefs for kids PDF

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Blast fishing is devastating Tierra Bomba's marine ecosystems. One young woman is taking on macho culture to protect the Colombian island's future.

Yassandra Marcela Barrios Castro is talking to a small group of fishermen on the shore of Tierra Bomba, an island off the coast of Cartagena in northern Colombia. She's the only woman in the group, and the men, all around her father's age, are gesticulating wildly at her. But the 19-year-old remains calm and self-composed, as she explains how destructive their practice of blast fishing is to the reef and its inhabitants.

Read more: Bombing coral to catch fish

The fishermen of Tierra Bomba have been using dynamite to fish for decades and it isn't easy to be told they're doing it all wrong - particularly by a teenager.

"It is very easy for men to dismiss me because I am a girl," says Yassandra. "And age is something that's respected here, so for a young woman to stand up and say that an old tradition is wrong, and is damaging the ocean... well that's not an easy task."
Destroying the island's livelihood
Yassandra lives in Boca Chica, on the south coast of Tierra Bomba. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and its 9,000 human inhabitants rely heavily on the ocean for food. But blast fishing and trawling are tearing apart the very ecosystems that provide the community with a living.

Fisherwomen turn tourist guides

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"There are a lot of people here who are not conscious of what their actions are doing," Yassandra says. "They are damaging the ocean and I'm so worried that it will be forever."

Many islanders struggle to make ends meet and there are few educational opportunities. Biologist Valeria Pizarro says this makes it hard to engage the population in environmental issues.

"The people here have more pressing problems," says Pizarro, who has been researching Colombia's Caribbean reefs for decades.

That makes Yassandra, who is studying marine biology at Sinu University in Cartagena, something of an exception.

"I want to know what is happening in the ocean at a deeper level," she says. "The course gives me another, more profound, perspective."

Yassandra is the only woman on her program and travels two hours by boat each day to attend. What she learns, she wants to share with those who haven't had the opportunity to get a formal education, so she organizes community discussions to engage locals in the environmental threats they face.

"I'm trying to explain that if we protect the reef and our ocean then more people will come to see it, and it may bring some money to our island," she says. "And also, if we completely destroy the reefs then we will have nothing to fish at all."
Changing cultural attitudes
Warm, smiling and full of energy, Yassandra has a knack for winning people over. Which is fortunate, given the culture she's up against. Pizarro says women here get used to being ignored, interrupted, and having men take credit for their ideas.

"If you want to speak, to be heard and to make a change you have to have a strong personality and be able to deal with gossip and being called 'hysterical,'" Pizarro says. "You have to be able to speak loudly, and be brave enough to interrupt."

Read more: 'Climate change is making us stronger' - Resilient Bolivian women adapt to global warming

The issues Yassandra is raising also touch on a point of male duty and pride: bringing in a decent income to support the family. It's all very well telling people their work has environmental consequences, but, Pizarro admits, "change is very difficult when you are poor."

"I always struggle to 'demand' a change from people who are living one day at a time," Pizarro says. "I know overfishing is a big issue for any marine ecosystem, but how can I ask someone that has no money to feed his family to stop fishing?"

The real challenge is to offer alternatives. And there are local projects attempting to do just that. One is a diving school where Yassandra is also a student.
From fishing to tourism
The Paraiso Dive Cartagena, as the school is called, is teaching young people on Tierra Bomba to dive. The hope is that one day they will be able to earn a living as diving instructors and guides instead of from fishing.

Colombia boasts 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) of coastline. Its Caribbean and Pacific Ocean waters are home to 2,600 marine species, including 155 corals and six of the world's seven turtle species. All this is a major draw for tourists, but most diving instructors and tour guides aren't locals, and that's something Paraiso Dive wants to change.

The diving school also teaches conservation. Researchers come here from all over the world, and often start reef-monitoring projects. When they return home, they can employ locals to continue their fieldwork, thanks to that training.

Christina Kuntz, co-owner of the diving school says she wants to offer young people a way of making a living from the reef without damaging it. "It's really important if you're trying to dissuade people from overfishing that you offer them an economically viable alternative," she says.

Read more: Protecting the cotton-top tamarin and its Colombian habitat

But again, it's harder for female students than their male peers. "The women here have to deal with ingrained sexism," Kuntz says. "They're expected to just stay at home, and are not given the same chances as men."

Yassandra is one of four young women on the diving course. "For them to say, 'yes, I can dive and I know how all this equipment works,' well, that's a pretty big deal,'" Kuntz adds.
A new generation demands change
Breaking new ground in activism and potentially the workplace, Kuntz says Yassandra is "important for females, for Afro-Colombians, for island communities, for marine biologists, and for scuba divers,"

And for the environment she is trying to protect, which is now under pressure from climate change as well as overfishing. Coral cover on Caribbean reefs has decreased from an average of 50 percent to just 10 percent.

"Coral reef degradation and climate change in general will affect marginalized island communities like Tierra Bomba first, so people like Yassandra are critical to protecting such communities and the ecosystems on which they depend," Kuntz says.

Once qualified, Yassandra will be the only marine biologist on the island. "I am part of a new generation that wants to protect my island," Yassandra says. "If I can find a way to join people together to protect our reefs, then our island is going to have a bright future."

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Colombian teen fighting to protect her island's waters - DW - 05/09/2019

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Blast fishing is devastating Tierra Bomba's marine ecosystems. One young woman is taking on macho culture to protect the Colombian island's future.

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students swap coral-killing sunscreens for ‘reef safe’ versions

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students swap coral-killing sunscreens for ‘reef safe’ versions

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KIHEI-Beachgoers wanting to do their part to help protect coral reefs got some help Saturday from college students at Kamaole Beach Park III.

From a table and display set up at the park before people entered the water, University of Hawaii Maui College students exchanged sunscreen containing coral-killing chemicals for "reef safe" versions.

"We're just here to spread awareness that chemical sunscreen is harmful to the coral and human health," said Alicia Wood, president of UH-MC's Student Ohana for Sustainability. "People have to look for ingredients, not brands."

Wood said that some popular brands have some products containing chemicals considered harmful to reefs as well as products without the chemicals.

Oxybenzone, a common chemical active ingredient in sunscreen, has been found to be harmful to coral reefs, said Dwight Baldwin, a UH-MC junior studying sustainable science management.

"It gets into reefs and stops reefs from reproducing," Baldwin said. "It limits the health."

In addition, while helping absorb the sunscreen into the skin, the chemical can break down during sun exposure and can enter human cells, Baldwin said.

"That's unacceptable, in my opinion," he said.

According to the nonprofit EWG environmental research group, oxybenzone can cause allergic skin reactions and may disrupt hormones.

Instead of chemical-based sunscreens, the research group recommends using sunscreen products containing minerals zinc and titanium oxide that are considered "reef safe."

Kihei residents Eric and Rebecca Nelson showed up to learn more Saturday, in part because of concerns about using sunscreen on a toddler they are raising.

"With children, you have to be extra cautious," Eric Nelson said. "It takes a much smaller level of any chemical to have a substantial effect."

Rebecca Nelson said that she plans to start using sunscreen more often herself. "But I don't want to use the wrong kind."

She ended up trading a spray bottle of sunscreen containing a coral-killing ingredient for a tube of Raw Elements sunscreen.

Wood said that the company and others donated "reef safe" sunscreen for the event. She said most of the "reef safe" sunscreens are available at health food stores.

Target sells a Bare Republic product that is "reef safe," Wood said. But some popular tourist stores "don't sell a single nonchemical sunscreen."

On Saturday morning, one beachgoer handed Baldwin a container of sunscreen, asking, "Is this harmful?"

"If you can't pronounce it, don't put it on," Baldwin said after reading the ingredients. "It sounds like it's science fiction."

He took the man's container and gave him packets of Raw Elements sunscreen.

After examining the ingredients in a product touted as "the No. 1 dermatologist recommended sunscreen," Wood found coral-killing chemicals.

"It's not always as straightforward as it looks," she said.

She said sunscreen made with zinc and titanium oxide may be more difficult to blend into the skin. "That's pretty much the only downside," she said. "I think that's a small price to pay."

After about four hours, students had collected a full basket of sunscreen traded in by beachgoers.

Some of the club's approximately 50 members have submitted testimony supporting state Senate Bill 1150, which would ban the use of sunscreen, sunblock and cosmetics containing oxybenzone or other chemicals harmful to reefs in a marine life conservation district.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.

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uh-mc students swap coral-killing  sunscreens for ‘reef safe’ versions

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UH-MC students swap coral-killing sunscreens for 'reef safe' versions

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KIHEI-Beachgoers wanting to do their part to help protect coral reefs got some help Saturday from college students at Kamaole Beach Park III. From a table and display set up at the park before people entered the water, University of Hawaii Maui College students exchanged sunscreen containing coral-killing chemicals for "reef safe" versions.

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The best reef-safe sunscreens, according to experts

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The best reef-safe sunscreens, according to experts

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Slathering on sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays is a must - no matter your age or skin tone. It not only help protects against skin cancer, but can also help prevent premature wrinkles and age spots, according to the The American Academy of Dermatology.

When it comes to finding the right SPF, however, there are a lot of factors to take into account. For example, you may require sunscreen for sensitive skin or need a kid-friendly SPF formula. Another consideration you may want to think about: Picking an environmentally friendly product - especially if you'll be spending lots of time near the ocean. According to experts, certain chemicals in your SPF could rinse off in water and impact ocean ecosystems.

Specifically, research suggests that chemicals such as oxybenzone and octinoxate have a negative impact on coral reefs. (An estimated 25% of all marine life depends on coral reefs for survival, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.) It's so harmful, in fact, that places like Hawaii and Key West, Florida, no longer allow the sale of sunscreen containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.

That's where reef-safe sunscreen comes in. "These sunscreens tend to be mineral-based, utilizing ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to provide physical, rather than chemical, sun protection," says Dr. Divya Shokeen, a board-certified dermatologist at the Ocean Skin and Vein Institute in California.

To help you shop for reef-safe formulas, we spoke to dermatologists and environmental experts about what to look for in an SPF that will protect both you and the environment. Then, we rounded up expert picks, along with highly rated options that met their standards.

We interviewed two dermatologists and an environmental expert about what to look for in a sunscreen that will protect your skin from harmful rays, while not damaging coral reefs or other ocean ecosystems. The experts we spoke recommend keeping the following factors in mind:

Reef-safe ingredients: There are two types of sunscreens: chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens use ingredients to filter out UV rays, whereas mineral (also known as physical) formulas sit on top of your skin and reflect rays away. The former contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, two ingredients that research suggests can be harmful to the ocean ecosystem by bleaching coral reefs and damaging their DNA. For this list, we selected mineral formulas, none of which contain oxybenzone octinoxate. Instead, they incorporate physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. "When shopping for reef-safe, mineral sunscreens, look for something containing zinc or titanium as the active ingredients," says Dr. Brendan Camp, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City.

Level of protection: You want to protect the ocean, but you also need to protect your skin too. To do so, look for broad-spectrum products with an SPF rating of at least SPF 30 . (Broad-spectrum protection means your skin will be safe from both UVA and UVB rays).

Water-resistance: Denoted by time (typically 40 or 80 minutes), this refers to how long your sunscreen will stay on wet skin. Water-resistant sunscreens serve purposes, according to our experts. Firstly, the better your sunscreen stays on your skin , the more protected you are. And second, your SPF will be less likely to wash off and harm the ocean.

To help you find the best reef safe sunscreen, we considered recommendations from dermatologists, along with highly rated options from brands like Cerave, Blue Lizard and more. None of our recommendations contain oxybenzone or octinoxate.

This water-resistant formula is a favorite of Camp's because it is environmentally friendly, offers broad-spectrum protection and has skin-boosting benefits. This zinc oxide-based formula absorbs quickly and doesn't feel sticky or oily going on. "In addition to SPF 50 protection, it includes antioxidants like vitamin E and moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil," he says. "Whereas some sunscreens feel sticky going on, this one feels smooth thanks to these ingredients, which also help nourish your skin as you wear it."

With zinc oxide as the primary active ingredient, Camp says this is a great option for protecting your body and keeping reefs safe. It offers SPF 50 and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. While some mineral sunscreens leave a white residue on skin, this one blends in very nicely so you don't look like you're wearing a ton of sunscreen even when you are, according to Camp. You can also feel good about the packaging - it's made of recycled plastic, according to the brand.

This expert-recommended mineral sunscreen is a great option for those with sensitive skin around the entire body (not just the face). It offers broad-spectrum SPF 50+ coverage and has zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect skin from UV rays. Plus, the fragrance-free formula is sweat- and water-resistant too. An added bonus? As this sits in the sun, the bottle turns from white to blue to remind you when it's time to reapply your sunscreen.

If you are looking for a face-specific formula, you may want to consider a lotion with a tint. "Tinted sunscreens are often formulated with pigment that blends in well without leaving noticeable residue," says Camp. This one uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to create a protective barrier from the sun. I use this daily on my face and love that it dries with a slightly matte finish and evens out my skin tone. The water-resistant formula also has vitamins C and E to help soothe and moisturize skin, according to the brand.

This SPF 30, which is great for sensitive skin, has a sheer tint, offsetting any white cast on the skin, says Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin, who uses it daily. The noncomedogenic sunscreen also contains hyaluronic acid to boost moisture and ceramides to support the skin's natural barrier. Plus, it's free of oil and fragrances, making it a good option for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

I originally bought this broad-spectrum sunscreen with zinc oxide for my daughter, but quickly fell in love with it thanks to its lightweight, creamy texture that doesn't leave a white cast on your skin, which is something that can be common with mineral sunscreens. It happens to be a favorite of Camp's as well thanks to the sugarcane-derived squalane (a plant-based hydrating ingredient) that's in it, which helps moisturize skin as you wear it. It's also fragrance-free, which is helpful if you have sensitive skin or prefer products that aren't scented.

When shopping for environmentally friendly sunscreens that will also keep you protected from the sun, our experts recommend keeping the below factors in mind:

Prioritize reef-safe ingredients. Like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that create a physical block on your skin that make rays bounce off it without penetrating through. Though it's important to note that there is no actual, legal definition for 'reef safe', according to Emily Spilman, a healthy living science program manager at the Environmental Working Group. The term is unregulated and generally, companies have their own definitions, she says. "While there are still a lot of data gaps about how certain sunscreens impact coral reefs, the main concern is that specific ingredients can cause coral bleaching, which can leave reefs under distress and vulnerable."

Reef-safe sunscreens are also usually made up of micro-sized or non-nano particles. This is because nanoparticles can be ingested by coral and negatively impact its health, according to the National Park Service. Most reef-safe products will identify what type of particles their formula is made up of.

Avoid oxybenzone, octinoxate and parabens. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are chemical ingredients that work to protect skin from the sun by filtering harmful rays out - and while they are effective at doing that, they can cause other issues. "They have been shown to be toxic to aquatic life, including coral," Spilman says.

Parabens are preservatives that keep beauty products shelf stable for longer. However, they can bleach reefs and even damage the DNA in coral, according to the National Ocean Service.

Opt for broad spectrum sunscreens. This will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays. Exposure to UVA rays is associated with skin aging, while exposure to UVB is connected to skin burning - so preventing both from impacting your complexion is crucial, according to our experts. "You should also be looking for a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher," says Shokeen. Just know that anything higher than SPF 50 only offers marginal improvements when it comes to protecting your skin.

Look for water-resistance. Not only does this help keep your skin safe while you engage in water play, it may be safer for the environment. This is because water-resistant sunscreen isn't as likely to wash off in the ocean and negatively impact aquatic life.

Once you've picked your reef-safe sunscreen, make sure you apply it correctly to ensure you get maximum protection. Your goal should be to use it liberally and frequently, according to Shokeen. The general rule of thumb is to use a quarter-sized dollop on your face and a shot glass-size amount for your body. You want to apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply those amounts every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Kate Beebe is the associate marketing director at the Coral Reef Alliance.

Dr. Brendan Camp is board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City.

Dr. Divya Shokeen is a board-certified dermatologist at the Ocean Skin and Vein Institute in California.

Emily Spilman is a healthy living science program manager at the Environmental Working Group.

Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed three experts to gather their guidance and researched highly rated reef-safe sunscreens based on their advice.

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How to tell if your sunscreen is reef safe

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We found the best reef-safe sunscreens to protect your skin and the environment with options from Blue Lizard, Cerave, Pipette and more.

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Stunned by devastation of coral reefs in Hawaii, ASU students design solutions

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Stunned by devastation of coral reefs in Hawaii, ASU students design solutions

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How can you harness the money and good will of tourists to save coral reefs in Hawaii?

Thirty students in The Design School at Arizona State University traveled to the state this semester in a unique studio course to create new ways of saving the islands' dying coral.

The master's degree students spent a week in O'ahu as part of a Global Engagement Studio, a semester-long course led by Michelle Fehler, a clinical associate professor in The Design School and affiliate in The Biomimicry Center; Darren Petrucci, the Suncor Professor of Architecture in The Design School, and Hazal Gumus-Ciftci, an assistant professor of industrial design.The course is a partnership between The Design School and the College of Global Futures, and the transdisciplinary Besides Fehler, Petrucci and Gumus-Ciftci, the other core faculty were Luis Angarita, program head and associate professor of industrial design; Adelheid Fischer, affiliate faculty and former assistant director of the Biomimicry Center; Wil Heywood, a clinical psychologist and professor in The Design School; and Judith Klein-Seetharaman, a professor in the School of Molecular Sciences and the College of Health Solutions. project includes not just the various design specialties but also sustainability and biology.

The group snorkeled in two locations off of O'ahu, including Hanauma Bay, a marine preserve.

What they saw was shocking.

"We saw a lot of coral that was damaged or not healthy or with algae overgrowth," said Naomi Chandran, who is pursuing a master's degree in visual communication design.

"It's one thing to read about it and another to actually experience it and see it. You're forced to take it personally and you can't look away."

The coral, which should have been vibrantly multicolored with a defined shape, instead looked like gray rocks and was covered in algae - a symptom of poor health.

The students were devastated, and that was the point.

"Seeing the coral is the reason we're doing this work," Fehler said. "So they connect that with the importance of the design solution."

Higher water temperatures is one reason the coral is dying but another cause is human development. As the rain falls on the islands' hilltops, the water rushes down through the neighborhoods, becoming contaminated, and out into the bay.

Besides the coral reefs, the students also visited a fish pond that was built by Indigenous people 800 years ago to farm fish. There are hundreds of fish ponds across the Pacific islands, although many are now abandoned. Because the ponds contribute to a healthy ecosystem, the students spent time working to restore the pond by removing litter, weeds and invasive mangrove.

They also visited a nursery where scientists are raising corals for replantation on reefs, and interviewed marine biologists, engineers and nonprofit environmental groups involved in reef-restoration initiatives.

"So it was a full week of really being exposed to the local condition," Petrucci said.

Leveraging tourism

When they returned, the six teams of students started designing solutions to regenerate the coral, with each focusing on one segment of the rim-to-reef watershed.

One team is working on an elaborate model of the watershed with overlays showing ocean temperatures and other data that affect the coral.

Another is designing a way to filter the water that rushes through the hillside neighborhoods. They've proposed using people-pleasing amenities, such as park-like retention ponds and pontoon boats that produce cleansing nanobubbles.

Another group is thinking of a way to shade the coral for a few hours each day, which will lower the water temperature.

Chandran's team started with a straightforward idea and realized it needed to be much bigger.

"We've developed a motorized brush with the idea of cleaning the coral," she said.

"But we realized over time that these problems are multi-faceted. We're cleaning the coral, but what happens after? Are we waiting for the algae to grow back and to keep doing the same thing over and over with what is seemingly a net zero gain?

"You need a multifaceted solution," she said.

So the team decided to leverage the huge influx of visitors who come to Hawaii every year in a kind of eco-tourism solution of encouraging them to clean the coral.

"How can we get people involved in these conservation efforts? After cleaning, how can we introduce larvae to bring health back to the reef?" she said.

"When you go there, you see how interconnected everything is, so you have to look at the picture as a whole."

Allen Chou, an industrial design student, said the studio was challenging because typically in his major, students are asked to design a tangible product such as a piece of furniture or electronic device.

"This is more complex and more science related. A lot of times I feel like a scientist doing research on this very multifaceted problem, but it encourages me to think differently," he said.

"We're trying to develop a better way to communicate with tourists about coral reefs - from the airport to the hotels. How can we reach them in an effective but low-cost way to increase the impact?"

Gina Fagliarone, an architecture graduate student, said her group is designing an infrastructure project to shade the reefs and provide a no-contact way for tourists to see the coral.

"How do we avoid snorkeling? How do we create an observation experience where people aren't able to physically kick and grab and harm the coral?" she said.

"It will also serve as a gathering space for researchers and tourists to create a long-term emotional connection.

"What we experienced in Hawaii is that you're snorkeling and it's kind of all dead and it's depressing. You want to flip that experience to celebrating restoration and regrowth."

During the mid-semester presentation on Zoom, the team developing the interactive model got great feedback from Doug Harper, executive director of the Malama Maunalua nonprofit.

"This is just the type of display we're looking for to convey what is taking place," he said. "We tried doing something like this but this is several levels above what we had envisioned."

New ways of thinking

The studio also is teaching new ways to collaborate. The students have been meeting weekly with Wil Heywood, a clinical psychologist and professor in The Design School, who has worked with them on team building and also went on the Hawaii trip.

Petrucci said, "So much of what we're trying to teach the students is, 'How do you develop an emotional intelligence as a designer so that you can actually have impact?'

"Everything we do is collaboration. Nobody works in a vacuum."

Fagliarone said the collaboration has been valuable.

"As an architect, I know my job and practice will be collaborating with a bunch of people. You have to do construction management, you have to talk to clients and all these different people," she said.

"And so far in my coursework, I haven't quite gotten that. I talk a lot to different designers and architects, but I've never spoken to an industrial designer before this class.

"It's super inspiring for my own work to collaborate with people who don't think exactly the way I do."

Fehler and Petrucci hope the concept of their design studio course, which they call COLĪD, for "center of life-inspired design," can expand into a degree program or even a center.

"We want to allow the problem to define what we need to do. So it's really part of practicing life-centered design, which is our focus," Fehler said.

"It's in the name to allow nature strategies and the problem itself to define what it needs."

And that wide-ranging, flexible, evidence-based design thinking can lead to a whole new model, Petrucci said. He served as director of The Design School from 2005 to 2012 and worked during that time to foster collaboration among the design disciplines based on wide-ranging problems, like food.

"We just had a whole conversation with the students because they're at the mid-review and they could have continued what they were doing and made a bunch of amazing graphics and portfolio pieces. Or they could take the harder way, which is to rethink the definition of what they're doing," he said.

"When you sit down with an employer, they've seen a thousand portfolios. Now they can say, 'This is a transdisciplinary studio I took on coral in Hawaii. We developed this whole integrated system of infiltrating all aspects of tourism in Hawaii and figuring out how every moment could be part of coral in some capacity. And here are the examples of how that could go.'

"So they're creating a whole new market type that hasn't existed."

Petrucci said the studio is trying to shift the focus of design from being human centered to nature centered.

"Our client is coral, not humans," Petrucci said.
The class will hold a presentation of their projects on Friday, Dec. 1, that is free and open to the public. Top image: A bay off O'ahu, Hawaii, visited by ASU graduate students from The Design School in September 2023. Photo courtesy The Design School

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Stunned by devastation of coral reefs in Hawaii, ASU students design solutions

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How can you harness the money and good will of tourists to save coral reefs in Hawaii?Thirty students in The Design School at Arizona State University traveled to the state this semester in a unique studio course to create new ways of saving the islands' dying coral.

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Sea the Reef’ program empowers teens to help environment through hands-on artwork

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Sea the Reef’ program empowers teens to help environment through hands-on artwork

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‘Sea the Reef’ program empowers teens to help environment through hands-on artwork

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12 Year Old's Viral Video Aims To Save Coral Reefs | Macaroni KID Central San Diego

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12 Year Old's Viral Video Aims To Save Coral Reefs | Macaroni KID Central San Diego

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Kids Making A Difference
*This article is a 5 minute read
I saw Maddison Molina's film, Saving The Word's Coral (2021) on Facebook one morning. I sipped coffee and clicked not knowing what to expect from a tween filmmaker/activist.

Did you know that 30% to 50% of the world's coral reefs have died?
Did you know that even sunscreen can damage fragile coral reefs, and that there's such a thing as
Maddison is an avid scuba diver. She's had the unique opportunity to dive in dream locations like: The Caribbean, Hawaii, The Galapagos Islands, South Pacific. and off the coast of Southern Thailand. She is Dora The Explorer!

"I love floating in the water and watching the fish swim around. There is no noise, distractions, or commotion. It's just me and the fish, and it feels like slow motion," said Maddison.

During a recent dive in the Galapagos, Maddison noticed the corals had lost their vibrant colors, and there was less sea life. "I was surprised when I learned the world's reefs were in trouble and dying. I love the ocean and the reefs and I want them to be around so that my kids can enjoy them someday like I enjoy them now. I felt like I had to do something to spread the word about the problem," said Maddison.

Maddison states, "I think most kids are unaware because it's not something that's taught in school or talked about with family or friends. It's just not big news...yet."

According to Maddison, people of all ages have responded well to her video. "They are often surprised to learn how big a problem the loss of reefs are. They know about glaciers and climate change, but the problems with the reefs are surprising to them."

All Hands On Deck Racing To Save The World's Corals

Maddison states, "Many organizations around the world are working on restoration projects like planting nursery grown corals back to the reefs, using technologies like Biorock to grow resilient corals and artificial intelligence to monitor and analyze coral resilience."

6 Ways You Can Help Save The World's Coral Reefs

Volunteer Become a Coral Reef Watcher.

Be more careful in the ocean using paddle boards, boats or jet skies.

Use reef-safe sunscreen.

Plant a coral at a coral rescue organization,

Spread the word tell family and friends about the fragility of coral reefs.

Share Maddison's film Saving The World's Coral on social media.
Stay Informed Join Central San Diego Macaroni Kid It's Free!

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12 Year Old's Viral Video Aims To Save Coral Reefs | Macaroni KID Central San Diego

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This article is a 5 minute readI saw Maddison Molina's film, Saving The Word's Coral (2021) on Facebook one morning. I sipped coffee and clicked not...

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Belize is working hard to save coral reefs. These kids may be their secret weapon.

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Belize is working hard to save coral reefs. These kids may be their secret weapon.

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Abalone Caye is a small island off the coast of Belize, and for about a week, it's home to an important group of kids.

The island, located in the middle of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, is home to a small research station where five local college-age kids eat, work, and live together for a week each summer before heading back to the mainland.

There's a good reason for this expedition: These kids are in training to become community reef researchers.

The Community Researcher Training Program is managed by James Foley and the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), an environmental institute in Belize. TIDE manages a large swath of natural areas in southern Belize, including the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. And t he students, who all come from local communities, conduct research that's vital to helping us protect our coral reefs.

They learn how to do scientific research that'll help TIDE monitor and protect the reef, such as taking underwater fish counts, going out with fishermen to weigh their catches, or doing surveys of the local markets.

Foley also teaches them professional-level scuba diving as well as teamwork, which can be really important since the work means they may have to stay out on boats (or tiny islands) for hours or days at a time.

Nice, right? But let's pause for a second and zoom out. Because big picture: Our reefs are in trouble, and they desperately need good management.

Coral reefs are an amazing ecosystem, but climate change is disrupting the little animals that make reefs, causing a potentially fatal problem known as coral bleaching. What's more, poor fishing practices means that reefs have been overfished, polluted, poisoned, trawled, and even blasted with dynamite.

Looking at all these problems caused by people, it's tempting to say, "OK, fine, we'll just close them off and keep everyone out." But that's neither realistic nor fair. Communities rely on these reefs for food and income, so managed access to the reefs is necessary in most areas around the world.

But managed access isn't just about limiting the number of fishermen - it's about studying and monitoring reef health and making policy changes as necessary, which is where the Community Researcher Training Program comes in. If we can head off problems like overfishing and pollution, we can help keep reefs healthy.

Foley's program has been successful because local communities don't always trust outsiders who come in and start telling people to change.

Often these communities have been living next to and with reefs for generations. They have deep cultural, historical, and economic ties to the reefs and their way of life.

So when a foreigner comes in - who hasn't lived there, whose family hasn't spent years fishing there - and starts ordering people around, it's understandable that locals would be mistrustful.

Foley has experienced this firsthand. He said that when he first arrived at TIDE, he'd try to talk to locals the conventional way, gathering locals into a room with graphs or discussions about trends and trying to tell them about changes they needed to make. But his words weren't always received well.

"People would be standing up, interrupting me, and saying 'You don't know what you're talking about. I've been fishing here all my life, and my father before me,'" Foley said.

And outsiders aren't always the best candidates for the job anyway.

Some research or management organizations rely on foreign volunteers, but doing that can come with drawbacks. You can't always count on volunteers having a lot of scientific training. Outsiders might also not understand the local environment or culture.

Even if the outsiders are highly trained professionals, it can still be a problem. Foley mentioned seeing otherwise good science derailed by a lack of local knowledge - some bit of information the scientist missed but that all the local fishermen knew by heart.

And at the end of the day, they don't live there. While a force of foreign volunteers might care deeply about the reef on an emotional or intellectual level, they don't live with it or depend on it for their livelihoods like the locals do.

That's why putting scientific power in the hands of these local kids is an awesome idea.

In fact, many of the same fishermen who were initially distrustful of the program are now on board.

"We've actually had now fishermen standing up in meetings and saying, 'Five years ago, you telling me this, I wouldn't have believed it. But now my own daughter's collecting the data,'" Foley said.

Some of the students in the program are on an academic track already, but others are children of local fishing families and "second-chancers" - kids who've been in trouble with the law or dropped out of school and need another opportunity to succeed.

Foley's been doing this since 2011, and he says the entire program is a win-win. Even if the students don't end up as researchers themselves, they end up with a highly desirable skill set; some have since become tour guides, members of the coast guard, or even TV presenters. And they can still sometimes be called in to help from time to time, too.

This isn't just feel-good fluff, either: Good community management might be the key to saving reefs.

In July 2016, the academic journal Nature published a worldwide survey of coral reefs. The most interesting things they found were called "bright spots," places where reefs were doing substantially better than anyone expected.

The bright spots weren't just remote, humanless areas either. Some were located right next to huge human populations and fished heavily. So what was the link between the bright spots? Where there were bright spots, local communities were actively involved in monitoring and protecting the reef.

Programs like these may end up being the heart of future reef conservation.

"It's really all about empowering local communities to participate in the management of their natural resources and building trust between the communities," said Foley.

So in the future, if you go diving and find yourself surrounded by magnificent schools of fish, sea turtles, blooms of color, and all the other signs of a healthy coral reef, you might want to remember and thank these community researchers.

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toledo institute for development and environment

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Belize is working hard to save coral reefs. These kids may be their secret weapon.

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Abalone Caye is a small island off the coast of Belize, and for about a week, it's home to an important group of kids.The island, located in the middle of the Port Honduras Marine Reserve, is home to a small research station where five local college-age kids eat, work, and live together for a week e...

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It begins about 10,000 years ago, toward the end of the Ice Age. A group of tiny organisms called coral polyps dies. The animals, which had attached themselves to the ocean floor near the shoreline, leave behind their hard, limestone skeletons. These, in turn, form a base for the next generation of polyps. And on and on. Today - billions of polyps later - that limestone floor has grown to support the world's largest structure made by living organisms.

You may have heard of it. It is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Its name - the Great Barrier Reef.

Of course, the Great Barrier Reef is not the only coral reef on Earth. These living, growing, changing structures thrive in waters within a 30-degree band north and south of the Equator. But you won't find them just anywhere within this band. Coral polyps are very "particular" about their environment:

The water must be shallow.

The weather must be sunny.

There must be very few nutrients in the vicinity.

Water with few nutrients? It seems to make no sense.... Every science book tells you that animals don't produce their own food; they get food from their environment. So how can an animal thrive in an environment that's poor in nutrients?

Coral polyps have a very particular way of thriving.

The "very particular way" has to do with symbiosis. Symbiosis is an interdependence, or close association, between two organisms. In a symbiotic relationship, both organisms benefit.

Coral polyps have a symbiotic relationship with tiny plant-like organisms called zooxanthellae (ZOH-uh-zan-THEL-ee).

Zooxanthellae live in the cells of the polyp where they have access to sunlight. The zooxanthellae use the light to perform photosynthesis and produce food, which is shared with the coral. That's the symbiosis: The zooxanthellae get sunlight and protection; the coral polyps get food. Everybody wins.

If the water was too deep or clouded with nutrients, sunlight wouldn't reach the coral. The zooxanthellae would not be able to perform photosynthesis and produce food, and neither the zooxanthellae nor the coral would be able to survive.

Coral polyps live in colonies. While the individuals in a colony may be tiny, a colony can grow quite large and weigh many tons. Let's have a look at colonies of different types of coral. The array of shapes and colors is pretty amazing.

The formation of a coral reef is painstakingly slow. It begins, as it did with the Great Barrier Reef, when coral polyps attach themselves to hard surfaces at the edge of an island or other landform. During the next several thousand years, the colony grows and expands to form a fringing reef along the shoreline.

If conditions are right, the reef continues to expand - slowly, slowly, slowly. Over the course of time, sea levels may rise and the land that the reef originally fringed may sink. As the land sinks, a lagoon takes shape beside it. The lagoon separates the land from the reef, which is now called a barrier reef.

Time continues to pass: 20,000, 100,000, 1 million, 10 million, 30 million years. Over this eternity of time, sea levels rise and fall. Eventually, the land may sink completely out of sight, leaving only the reef near the water's surface. The reef now encircles a lagoon where land once jutted out. The reef is no longer a barrier reef; it is an atoll.

Whether an atoll, a barrier reef, or a fringing reef, these structures are home to a huge number of creatures: seabirds, sponges, jellyfish, starfish, shrimp, rays, snails, crabs, lobsters, sea turtles, and sea snakes, to name just a few. Coral reefs represent less than 1 percent of the ocean floor, but are home to almost one-quarter of all marine animals. According to the National Ocean Service, reefs may be habitats for millions of species that haven't even been identified yet!

Coral reefs help protect neighboring shorelines from the effects of extreme wave action. They also protect coastal wetlands and prevent erosion. As you read this article, research is taking place to develop medicines from the plants and animals of the reef. A few have already been developed, including drugs that fight several forms of cancer.

Despite their importance, coral reefs are under threat. Overfishing, industrial runoff, sewage, agricultural waste, and erosion due to land clearing all pose dangers to these sensitive ecosystems. Damaging fishing techniques, such as blast fishing, which uses powerful explosives to startle fish out of hiding, are another hazard.

Marine Protected Areas, or MPAs, have become important in protecting and managing coral reefs and their inhabitants. In addition, marine parks, such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, have been established expressly to protect reefs.

Efforts are also underway to restore damaged reefs through coral farming - growing polyps in nurseries and then planting them on an existing reef. Scientists working through the Nature Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to conserving "the lands and waters on which all life depends," have developed coral farms off the coast of Florida and among the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In addition, there are now artificial surfaces to promote the growth of new reefs. Called reef balls, these hollow spheres are made of concrete specially designed to attract coral and other marine organisms.

Today, over 50,000 reef balls are in place around the world.... But don't hold your breath waiting for one to become the next Great Barrier Reef. Even with a head start, it'll be quite some time.

Written by Marjorie Frank.

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It begins about 10,000 years ago, toward the end of the Ice Age. A group of tiny organisms called coral polyps dies. The animals, which had attached themselves to the ocean floor near the shoreline, leave behind their hard, limestone skeletons. These, in turn, form a base for the next generation of polyps.

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Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs support more species per unit area than any other marine environment, including about 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals and hundreds of other species. Scientists estimate that there may be millions of undiscovered species of organisms living in and around reefs. This biodiversity is considered key to finding new medicines for the 21st century. Many drugs are now being developed from coral reef animals and plants as possible cures for cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, viruses, and other diseases.

Healthy coral reefs support commercial and subsistence fisheries as well as jobs and businesses through tourism and recreation. Approximately half of all federally managed fisheries depend on coral reefs and related habitats for a portion of their life cycles. The National Marine Fisheries Service estimates the commercial value of U.S. fisheries from coral reefs is over $100 million. Local economies receive billions of dollars from visitors to reefs through diving tours, recreational fishing trips, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses based near reef ecosystems.

Coral reef structures also buffer shorelines against 97 percent of the energy from waves, storms, and floods, helping to prevent loss of life, property damage, and erosion. When reefs are damaged or destroyed, the absence of this natural barrier can increase the damage to coastal communities from normal wave action and violent storms. Several million people live in U.S. coastal areas adjacent to or near coral reefs. Some coastal development is required to provide necessary infrastructure for coastal residents and the growing coastal tourism industry.

Despite their great economic and recreational value, coral reefs are severely threatened by pollution, disease, and habitat destruction. Once coral reefs are damaged, they are less able to support the many creatures that inhabit them and the communities near them. When a coral reef supports fewer fish, plants, and animals, it also loses value as a tourist destination.

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national oceanic and atmospheric administration

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Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs support more species per unit area than any other marine environment, including about 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals and hundreds of other species.

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Why are coral reefs important? | Natural History Museum

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Why are coral reefs important? | Natural History Museum

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Coral reefs provide an important ecosystem for life underwater, protect coastal areas and provide a crucial source of income for millions of people. Find out how and why.

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No matter where you live, near the coast or hundreds of miles away, there are several things that you can do to keep coral reefs healthy. Many dangers to coral reefs occur directly on the water but many also come from activities that occur on land, even those far from the coast. Below are lifestyle changes that anyone can adopt that can make a difference for the health of our coral reefs.

When Visiting Coral Reefs

Practice safe and responsible diving and snorkeling. Avoid touching reefs or anchoring your boat on the reef. Contact with the reef will damage the delicate coral animals, and anchoring on the reef can kill corals, so look for sandy bottom or use moorings, if available.

Take a reef-friendly approach to sun protection. Some ingredients in sunscreen can be harmful to or even kill corals. Inform yourself of safer choices for coral. Better yet, cut down on sunscreen use by wearing a long-sleeved shirt or rash guard to prevent sunburn.

Every Day

Recycle and dispose of trash properly. Marine debris can be harmful to coral reefs. Recycle your trash at home and on the go (especially plastic), and remember the three R's (reduce, reuse, and recycle). When disposing of trash, do it properly in bins, to avoid trash being blown or washed away into waterways and oceans. On beaches, make sure you leave no trash behind, and never throw or leave any cigarette butts in the sand. You can help keep your rivers and streams clean by volunteering to pick up trash in your community. Check with your local environmental organizations for annual trash clean ups and make sure to check the annual International Coastal Cleanup.

Minimize use of fertilizers. The overuse of fertilizers on lawns harm water quality because nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from the fertilizer are washed into waterways and eventually end up in oceans. These nutrients pollute the water and can harm coral reefs.

Use environmentally-friendly modes of transportation. Instead of driving a car, try to walk, bike, or use public transport (like buses and trains) more often. If you are planning to buy a car, choose a fuel-efficient vehicle like a hybrid or electric car. Using these cleaner transportation methods can help reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses that are emitted into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to ocean acidification and increased ocean temperature. More acidic ocean waters impede coral growth and warmer waters cause coral bleaching.

Reduce stormwater runoff. Reducing stormwater runoff can help prevent water pollution, reduce flooding, and protect our water resources. Homeowners can install water catchments or rain gardens and use rain barrels to collect rainwater that would otherwise be diverted to storm drain. Visit EPA's Green Infrastructure page to learn more and see Green Infrastructure for Coral Conservation (pdf) for more information on the connection between land and coral reefs, examples of green infrastructure to implement, and online resources.

Save energy at home and at work. You can save energy at home by turning off lights and electronic devices when not using them and opting to buy energy-efficient appliances such as Energy Star-certified appliances. At work, try to turn the lights and your computer off when you leave.

Be conscious when buying aquarium fish. Avoid purchasing living coral and if you buy a marine aquarium fish, make sure that it has been collected in a sustainable manner.

Spread the word! Learn more about coral reefs and educate your community. You can share this information with your family, your friends, your local schools and businesses, and you can always contact your local representatives to see what your state is doing to protect water quality and coral reefs.

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What You Can Do to Help Protect Coral Reefs | US EPA

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Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. This web site describes the importance of coral reefs, threats to them, and ongoing efforts to protect them.

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Here are some things YOU can do:

Corals are already a gift, don't give them as presents.

Conserve water. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that will eventually find its way back into the ocean.

Volunteer in local beach or reef cleanups. If you don't live near the coast, get involved in protecting your watershed.

Become an informed consumer and learn how your daily choices such as water use, recycling, seafood, vacation spots, fertilizer use, and driving times can positively (or negatively) impact the health of coral reefs.

There are also many things you can do to ensure that you are environmentally conscious when you visit coral reefs or coastal areas. These include things such as hiring local guides to support the economy, removing all trash from an area, never touching or harassing wildlife in reef areas, and avoiding dropping your boat anchor or chain nearby a coral reef.

Finally, stay informed and spread the word! Educate yourself about why healthy coral reefs are valuable to the people, fish, plants, and animals that depend on them. Your excitement will help others get involved.

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10 ways to protect CORAL REEFS

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national oceanic and atmospheric administration

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Even if you live far from coral reefs, you can still have an impact on reef health and conservation

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Land & Water Stories

Here are some simple, effective actions you can take to help save coral reefs and the fish, animals and plants that depend on them.

Maluku Islands Reef Scenic with Diver, Hard Corals, Reef fishes. © Jeff Yonover

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Want to help coral reefs? Here are some simple, effective actions you can take to help save coral reefs and the fish, animals and plants that depend on them.

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1. Conserve water - the less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater will pollute our oceans.

2. Use only ecological or organic fertilizers in your gardens and on your lawns. Chemicals and pesticides flow into the water system, pollute the ocean, and can travel on ocean currents at great distances, doing harm to coral reefs and other sea life.

3. Plant a Tree - you will reduce runoff into the oceans. You will also contribute to reversing the global warming of our planet and the rising temperatures of our oceans.

4. Organize a beach clean-up. Plastic pollutes ocean waters and harms coral reefs and other sea life.

5. When you visit a coral reef, practice reef safe diving and snorkeling. Do not stand, touch or anchor your boat on the reef.

6. Talk to your family, friends and neighbors and tell them about coral reefs, the rainforest of the sea, and explain to them about the coral reef crisis. Ask them to get involved and make a difference too!

7. Write to your government representatives and demand they take action to protect coral reefs, stop sewage pollution of our oceans, expand marine protected areas and take steps to reverse global warming.

8. Support and volunteer for organizations like Biosphere Foundation that work to protect coral reefs, oceans, rivers, lakes or other waters in your area. Clean water is important everywhere. All watersheds affect the oceans and eventually, the coral reefs.

9. Learn more about coral reefs, their remarkable biodiversity and the special role they play as messengers for the health of our oceans and our world.

10. Build Wastewater Gardens® (ecological waste recycling systems) in your home, school or community. Every simple thing you do to help save coral reefs makes a difference!

" Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation." ~ Nelson Mandela

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Ten Simple Things You Can Do To Protect Coral Reefs - Biosphere Foundation

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1. Conserve water - the less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater will pollute our oceans. 2. Use only ecological or organic fertilizers in your gardens and on your lawns. Chemicals and pesticides flow into the water system, pollute the ocean, and can travel on ocean currents at great distances, doing harm to coral reefs and other sea life.