The Great Barrier Reef: Fading Away
The star of Finding Nemo is in peril, but this time, it isn’t Nemo.
The star of Finding Nemo is in peril, but this time it isn’t Nemo. While we all might be hoping for another movie featuring the beloved clownfish, there’s a much bigger issue at hand, affecting real clownfish.
The Great Barrier Reef, the crown jewel of Australia’s marine life, is in danger. According to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority, the reef is the largest living structure on Earth, encompassing about 344,000 square kilometres (~133,000 square miles) and is home to the world’s largest coral system. These iconic natural beauties have been admired around the world, with their oddly vibrant colours and alien form factor. Hundreds to thousands of animal species that depend on these coral reefs as their homes, including the cherished clownfish.
Perhaps you’ve heard that the Great Barrier Reef, which is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, is dead. Good news: it isn’t. However, with our current trajectory, it may very well be gone soon. Currently, we can see the effects climate change and water pollution is having on the Great Barrier Reef. Similar to the many corals around the world, the Great Barrier Reef is undergoing a process known as coral bleaching.
Coral bleaching is the loss of the distinctive colour of the coral, caused by a number of factors. A certain type of algae, Zooxanthellae, gives the coral reef its hue. This algae is quite sensitive to rising water temperatures, a direct result of global warming. The pollution caused by humans contributes to the rising water levels and further aggravates the algae, forcing it to separate from the coral. As a result, the coral loses its famous colour and rapidly deteriorates to a deathly white shade.
Another major factor causing the Zooxanthellae to be expelled from the coral is due to ocean acidification. Ocean acidification, caused by carbon dioxide dissolving into the water and forming carbonic acid, is largely due to human influence. The use of fossil fuels and increasing carbon dioxide emissions harms this diverse and beautiful organism, and also has adverse effects on other forms of marine life. Unfortunately, Zooxanthellae’s purpose is not solely for the beauty of the coral reefs. Zooxanthellae actually forms a symbiotic relationship with the coral, a tie that benefits both parties, and the algae is responsible for photosynthesis. Thus, without the Zooxanthellae, the coral reef is doomed to die, as its source of power is gone.
Since humans have made a significant negative impact to the coral reef, we have a crucial choice to make. We can change our lifestyle — reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and try to limit the amount we heat the Earth. The Paris Agreement, increasing use of renewable energy sources, and energy-efficient appliances are all helping in the effort to preserve some of the most beautiful life on Earth. Without many more changes like this happening soon, it may be too little, too late.
