The death of our natural wonders

Travel is a great way to see the world, expand the mind and experience new and exciting things. Unfortunately, the results of so many people visiting the exotic natural locations of the world can leave an impact.  Many of these travelers don’t think about the damage they’re doing or are unaware of the consequences of their actions.  And sometimes our natural wonders are being destroyed due to profit and careless development.  The latest case of this comes in the form of a study that shows that the coral reefs in the Caribbean are dying off.

Studies show that these reefs are producing up to 70 percent less calcium carbonate than they should be.  Calcium carbonate happens to be an essential ingredient that the reefs use to build new structures.  Thus, they are no longer expanding, which means they are no longer counteracting the natural forces of the environment which erode them.  If something doesn't change, they will, over time, simply break apart and disappear.

The Coral Reef Alliance has taken to listing a number of key dangers to the reefs. Pollution is, of course, one of the biggest contributors. Increased carbon dioxide in the ocean leads to the coral being more brittle and more susceptible to all kinds of damage.  Increased sediment, such as produced by human development activities, permeates the ocean and reduces the amount of sunlight the reefs receive.  Direct human intervention, such as construction on the top of reefs, coral mining and poisoning the reefs with fishing chemicals, all lead them further down the path of destruction.

The end result steals from us one of the most beautiful sights on our world.  Divers will no longer be able to explore these amazing natural structures.  Sea life habitats are being destroyed, leaving barrenness instead.  When the reefs die, tourism will too.  And it falls on the shoulders of the average citizen, not the money-making companies that see the reefs as profits to be made, to do our best to preserve them.  One organization, The Nature Conservancy, offers up a few suggestions on what people can do to help protect these wonders of nature.

Remember, if the reefs go away, they may very well go away for good. These problems and others are everywhere and those of us who enjoy the beauty of the world need to stay aware of how to protect it, even if it’s in our own small way.

Coral Restoration photo courtesy of Profmauri via Wikicommons