Coral reefs are the Amazon of the ocean. They are a necessity to the ecosystem of our seas where, although they form a small percentage of the world’s ocean, they have a high share of its biodiversity where almost a third of the marine species are found on coral reefs.

The media is doing its role in creating awareness on the side effects of climate change on our planet including the oceans. A number of NGOs are actively working on various projects to restore, cultivate and monitor coral reefs worldwide. Studies in recents years confirmed that the rise in sea water temperature is a primary factor for the bleaching effect that occurred in various areas of the planet. But we also learned that there are other factors that are effecting corals.

The majority of corals are deteriorating due to environmental stress created by us humans. Urban development, pollution, sea mining, overfishing and dredging are few of the many destructive processes us humans force onto our oceans. Human induced pressure on the ocean is a key factor.

We still have numerous countries that discharge human waste into the ocean adding drastically sulphuric content that suffocates corals that triggers the destructive domino effect. All the marine species that depend on corals will have to change habitat or else they perish. If they perish then all the ecosystem vanishes and thousands of families will effected. No fishing, no underwater tourism, no shore wave protection. The effects are devastating.

Urban development close to the shoreline is still on the rise. The sustainability of these projects should not only be measured by the amount of tourists who will visit the resort and how much employment they create. What will be the impact of such development to the nearby marine habitat? Can such habitat contain such stress and for how long? What environmental impact assessments have been done and to what level? Like many others, I question certain projects that were built and it amazed me how they got their approval. Maybe some authorities close an eye or two. Who knows what goes on?

There are real responsible developers and entrepreneurs who do their work diligently but there are always the usual suspects that do not care about the consequences. Once the damage is done, it will be practically impossible to restore such habitat  to its original state.

The recreation value of coral reefs as indicated by the income from tourism is potentially enormous. A resort with a magnificent artificial swimming pool near a sick ocean losses its attraction and its value. Governments, entrepreneurs, developers, local authorities, NGOs, scientists and local ocean communities shall cooperate as one body to implement ongoing management systems to safeguard the shoreline and beyond. Only by working together we can can protect our oceans and prosper in a responsible and sustainable way. 

What is your take in your local community to safeguard the environment you live in and to ensure developments are environmentally sustainable?