Coral Killed, Suspect Goes Free

A coral reef died recently and strong evidence including witness testimony points to one suspect, but as of this writing, that suspect goes free and continues its anti-social behavior. State and local police have no comment. The FBI was brought in but once they learned the deceased was not human, they went away. A local philosopher argued that humans are victims, too. Victims of their own ambitions, genius, and greed. His counsel was not enough to bring back the federal and local protectors, however. One witness with long blond locks and carrying a trident exclaimed, "Where is the justice?"

We'd miss them

Seriously, it's simple. Coral is in trouble due to climate change. Coral is extremely important. Coral is hands down beautiful.

This isn't new news really but we seemingly have to hear it again and again. Don't we? One more excellent reason to move off the petroleum economy and onto a renewable energy economy as soon as possible.

With CO2 emissions rising sharply from human activities, reefs—which are home to perhaps a quarter of marine species and provide critical protection for coastlines—are poised for a "bust" on a scale unlike anything seen in tens of millions of years, according to Charlie Veron, Former Chief Scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science in mongobay.com. The header on the article is "Coral Reefs Doomed by Climate Change.

Others agree and they're telling us where. According to MSNBC.com today, one of the most destructive and swift coral bleaching events ever recorded is under way in the waters off Indonesia, where water temperatures have climbed into the low 90s, according to data released by a conservation group this week.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) says a dramatic rise in sea temperature, potentially linked to global warming, is responsible for the devastation, according to MSNBC.

"This is a tragedy not only for some of the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs, but also for people in the region, many of whom are extremely impoverished and depend on these reefs for their food and livelihoods," said WCS Marine Program Director Caleb McClennen. Coral reefs provide haven for fish and other creatures, and larger fish tend to congregate around reefs because they are good places to feed.

So let's get this climate change. Serve some justice. All kidding aside, we're all victims when these things happen BUT we have our future in our hands. To do the right thing, to be part of the solution and not the problem, is one of the biggest moral challenges for humankind in history.

Read both stories in full here:

http://news.mongabay.com/2010/0722-coral_reefs_atbc.html

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8993446531016772012

Photos corutesy national geographic, backpackerben.co.uk.