All posts tagged: climate change

Coral Reefs In Hot Water

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Photo Credit: World Wildlife Fund Australia   Brace yourself, for the third time a worldwide coral bleaching event is taking place.  A ripple effect has been set in motion.  Climate Change is causing the temperature of the ocean to rise and coral reefs are heating up and stressing out.  As a result, coral reefs are turning white.  Essentially, the coral bleaching is causing the coral’s white skeleton to be exposed.  The distressed coral reefs will have a negative impact on the eco-system and oceanic wildlife that depend on them. When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues, causing them to turn completely white. – NOAA Coral reefs are a life support system of the ocean.  They play a crucial role in keeping the balance of the ocean in check.  Coral reefs are a fragile eco-system and oceanic wildlife depend on them for their survival.  Reportedly, “This bleaching event could kill over 12,000 square kilometers (about 4,600 square miles) of reefs by the end …

The Coral Triangle: The Ocean’s Amazon Rainforest

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  (Photo Credit: World Wildlife Fund) The Coral Triangle is rich in diversity and home to iridescent corals, fish, marine plant species and crustaceans. Additionally, it is home to twenty-two species of dolphin and endangered dugongs.  Seventy-five percent of the world’s coral species are found here—nearly 600 different species. The Coral Triangle is considered to be the underwater equivalent of Amazon Rainforest.  The reason being, the Amazon comes as a close rival to the Coral Triangle in terms of species richness.  Essentially, the Coral Triangle, is a hot spot for marine life, as it is home to an astonishing amount of marine species, more than anywhere else.  It is massive, spanning across the ocean, encompassing an area that is half the size of the United States.  This incredibly beautiful and rich in diversity, habitat is an underwater wonderland.  Unfortunately, this incredible are of coral reefs faces a variety of threats, including, pollution, climate change, and unsustainable fishing.  As a result, these threats are inflicting negative effects upon this precious eco-system, such as the degradation of …

Diving Into Ocean Acidification

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June is World Ocean Month. In honor of that, the majority of my blog posts will be focusing on the ocean.  Yesterday, was World Ocean Day, and the theme for this year is, “Healthy Ocean, Healthy Planet” to see my interview on Talk Show, Daybreak 27 discussing World Ocean Day, click here, for the blog post tie-in click here. There is an ongoing fight to keep our the ocean healthy, however, our ocean is not in the best state of health. As a result of climate change, our oceans are slowly becoming acidic.  Currently, the ocean is in serious trouble, and that is a result of ocean acidification. This is a huge problem. Around 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans.  The ocean plays a huge role in our daily lives, the ocean is responsible for producing about 70% of the oxygen we breathe.  Therefore, it is imperative that we do everything possible to keep the ocean healthy.  Reportedly, about “half of man-made CO2 has been absorbed over time by the oceans. This has benefited …

Going Beyond The Hour

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  Tomorrow is Earth Hour! A global movement inviting countries around the world to stand in solidarity, raising awareness about climate change, by pledging to turn off non-essential lights during Earth Hour (8:30pm-9:30pm local time).  Did you know? The first Earth Hour, was in Sydney, Australia, 2007. Join the celebration! #EarthHourCayman   Earth Hour Cayman includes: performances by Mr. Earl La Pierre, David Innis and the Singrays.  You can also do some star gazing with the Astronomical Society of the Cayman Islands. Take the Pledge: Lights Out for Earth Hour All proceeds support the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.  Awesome perks for pledges! During Earth Hour we can gather around and participate in this global movement.  We should also take a moment to look beyond the hour. Earth Hour, is a bit like New Year’s Eve, instead of a New Year’s resolution, we make a pledge for an hour, to benefit the environment. Similarly, like a resolution intended to last for a whole year, why not allow your pledge to commit to supporting Earth …

Be Kind to Planet Earth…

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  A belated Project: Words of Kindness post. One of the best ways that we can be kind to planet Earth, is by being as environmentally responsible as we can.  The clock is ticking and Earth Hour is just days away.  How exciting!  Earth Hour is an internationally celebrated event.  A worldwide symbolic gesture of turning off non-essential lights to illuminate environmental issues such as: climate change and the need to reduce our carbon emissions. Take the pledge: Lights Out for Earth Hour A great way to participate in Earth Hour, is by taking a pledge to turn off non-essential lights during Earth Hour, 8:30pm-9:30pm local time.  You can go a step beyond that, and choose to get unplugged for Earth Hour.  Unplug any electronic devices that are fully charged or not needed for use, or considered non-essential.  Remember, items that are turned off, yet still plugged in, are still burning electricity, known as “phantom electricity.” Consider unplugging  items which are non-essential or not needed for use. Take the pledge and support the National Trust for …

1 Week Until Earth Hour: Lights Out

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  Earth Hour is 1 week away!  This year, join the National Trust for the Cayman Islands celebrating Earth Hour at The Crescent, Camana Bay, Saturday 28th March 2015 from 6:00pm-9:30pm.  The evening will include an intimate outdoor concert, with acoustic performances by David Innis and the Sing Rays.  Earth Hour Cayman is a free event, great for friends and the whole family.   From 8:30pm-9:30pm in honor of Earth Hour, the lights of The Crescent Fountain will be turned off. Earth Hour was created by World Wildlife Fund, and is internationally recognized. Globally, on March 28th, from 8:30pm-9:30pm, participating countries are asked to turn off non-essential lights, to stand in solidarity raising awareness for the planet. In honor of Earth Hour, Saturday 28th March 2015 from 8:30pm-9:30pm please pledge to help the planet. You can pledge to turn off non-essential lights as part of a global movement to raise awareness for the environment.  Take the Earth Hour Cayman Pledge, and support the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.  Cayman, let’s work together to raise awareness about …