#GivingTuesday To Support The World’s Coral Reefs
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
Monday, November 28th may be Cyber Monday, one of the busiest online shopping days of the holiday season, but, Tuesday, November 29th has its own special meaning to holiday shoppers.
Known as #GivingTuesday, this is the day for all eco-conscious individuals and organizations to focus on just how important coral reefs all across the world are to them and to our next generation of ocean enthusiasts. Thanks to the Coral Reef Alliance, heightened awareness has been created to spotlight our oceans, marine life, and, most of all, coral reefs, and this is not only at the holiday time, but, all year long.
This one particular day came about to harness our world’s global giving power, encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity. For Coral Reef Alliance, coral reefs are an embodiment of this giving spirit. They help protect two million marine species and the five hundred million people that depend on them.
As you ask yourself why #GivingTuesday is so important, many reasons come to mind:
- Biodiversity: Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, including over 800 hard coral species and over 4,000 species of fish
- Coastal Protection: Coral reefs provide an important buffer zone for coastal communities, and, in the process, help absorb the force of ocean waves, protect shorelines and mitigate beach erosion
- Fisheries: Coral reefs are an abundant source of fish for the global fishing industry and contribute an estimated $5.7 billion annually to the global economy
- Medicine: In recent years, many species of plant and animals found living on coral reefs are proving to be a salient source of new medicines to treat cancer, arthritis, bacterial infections and a host of other diseases
- Tourism and Recreation: Every year, millions of scuba divers and snorkelers spend roughly $9.6 billion to visit coral reefs and experience their breathtaking beauty and rich diversity in person
Ongoing support is the only way that coral reefs can continue to give back and thrive as an amazing part of nature. Coral reefs need people like you and me to help them thrive. It can be done together, so save our coral reefs for the cause. If you cherish the beauty of the ocean’s depths as I do, then follow the underwater journey, and, on November 29th, celebrate #GivingTuesday and #GiveToReefs.
Coral Reef Alliance takes on many diverse roles and is always eager to educate and assist on days such as November 29th. Some of the crucial ways they continue to build momentum are:
- Reducing local threats to reefs, including overfishing, poor water quality, and non-sustainable development
- Helping communities benefit socially, culturally, and economically from conservation
- Improving reef management so those responsible for the creation, enforcement, and durability of protected areas have the tools and financial support they need to be successful
- Working directly with the tourism industry to decrease its environmental footprint and to educate visitors about the beauty and importance of coral reefs
- Ensuring that what we learn within our project sites has a global impact
To learn more, go to www.coral.org and see the impact they are making on our reefs.
Photo Credit : Jeff Chanin in Fiji.
