[Coral-List] What can we do??

John Hocevar jhocevar at dialb.greenpeace.org
Mon Dec 17 14:27:58 EST 2007


[First, a pre-emptive note on restirctions about using this list for 
lobbying - this message does not refer to specific legislation, so I'm 
pretty sure this does not fit that definition for this purpose.]

There is much to be said for actions we can take as individuals, and for 
leading by example.  There is also a great deal of value in clarifying some 
of the research questions that relate to the interests and expertise of 
scientists on this list.  It is also clear that the urgency of the crisis 
facing our reefs, our oceans, and our planet from climate change and 
acidification require action from policy makers.

Greater leadership is needed from this community, which both understands 
better than most what is at stake.  Many of us are already active, through 
participation in lawsuits, testifying before congress, speaking to the 
media, etc.  We can do more.

Action is required of us on an international, national, and local level. 
The follow up meeting to the Kyoto talks just concluded in Bali, where the 
US Government was the biggest obstacle to progress.  (See "Europeans Raise 
Ante at Bali Climate Talks: U.S. Stance on Emissions Targets Prompts Threat 
to Boycott Bush Forum" in Friday's Washington Post for a summary.)  But as 
Al Gore pointed out to delegates, the US position is almost certain to 
change over the next two years.  And, in fact, it has already changed 
significantly, with several climate bills currently being debated in 
Congress that would have been non-starters just two years ago.  On the local 
level, some cities and states have chosen not to wait for Washington to act, 
and are setting targets for greenhouse gas reductions and renewable 
portfolios.

If ever there was a time and an issue that scientists and environmental 
organizations needed to be working together to help communicate what the 
best available science tells us to policy makers and the broader public, 
this is it.

At Greenpeace, our climate campaign now dwarfs all our other efforts.  To 
get plugged in, check out either of the websites below (or just drop me a 
note).
www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/global-warming-and-energy
http://members.greenpeace.org/hotseat/

Whether you are working with Greenpeace, another conservation group, or on 
your own, the most important thing is to do something.  Are your elected 
representatives in your city, state, and country fully aware of what is 
happening and what it means?  Are there ways you can help inform the current 
rapidly growing debate?  Are there ways you can help inform voters to make 
smart choices?

John Hocevar
Greenpeace USA
512 454-6140
jhocevar at greenpeace.org

> Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2007 16:18:19 -0500
> From: Judith Lang <jlang at riposi.net>
> Subject: [Coral-List] WHAT CAN WE DO??
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>
> Tom Williams raises an important question when he asks: "WHAT CAN WE
> DO??," now that the risk from carbon emissions to coral reefs and
> those who depend upon them for their livelihoods is receiving some
> well-deserved publicity.
>
> Here are a few suggestions for starters:
> We CAN set a positive example for our neighbours and colleagues by
> our daily choices of how much fossil fuel we consume, both directly
> as a fuel and indirectly via our use of hot water, paper, plastic
> bags, electronic trinkets, exotic foods, etc., etc.
>
> We CAN minimize our long-distance work-related travel to that which
> is really necessary to fulfill our research and educational needs or
> commitments.
>
> Those of us with some discretionary income CAN spend some of it on
> carbon-offset programs: for example, planting trees in the tropics
> where they will grow year round which also helps nourish impoverished
> soils, and provides food, fuel or income for poor communities.
>
> Cheers,
> Judy Lang
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>> From: Tom Williams <ctwiliams at yahoo.com>
>> Date: December 14, 2007 1:59:28 PM EST
>> To: Coral Listserver <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
>> Subject: [Coral-List] Fwd: Re: New Science Paper Says Carbon
>> Emissions [MORE THAN] THREATEN Coral Reefs
>>
>> It appears to be FAR WORST than indicated in the
>> Subject Line Check the conclusions --- WHAT CAN WE
>> DO??
>>
>> PARTIAL From Science
>> Science 14 December 2007: Vol. 318. no. 5857, pp.
>> 1737 ? 1742   DOI: 10.1126/science.1152509
>>
>> REVIEW
>> Coral Reefs Under Rapid Climate Change and Ocean
>> Acidification
>>
>> O. Hoegh-Guldberg,1* P. J. Mumby,2 A. J. Hooten,3 R.
>> S. Steneck,4 P. Greenfield,5 E. Gomez,6 C. D.
>> Harvell,7 P. F. Sale,8 A. J. Edwards,9 K.,
>> Caldeira,10, N. Knowlton,11 C. M. Eakin,12 R.
>> Iglesias-Prieto,13  N.Muthiga,14 R. H. Bradbury,15 A.
>> Dubi,16 M. E. Hatziolos17
>>
>> ABSTRACT
>>
>> "Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is
>> expected to exceed 500 parts per million and global
>> temperatures to rise by at least 2?C by 2050 to
>> 2100, values that significantly exceed those of at
>> least the past 420,000 years during which most extant
>> marine organisms evolved.
>>
>> Under conditions expected in the 21st century,
>> global warming and ocean acidification will compromise
>> carbonate accretion, with corals becoming increasingly rare on reef
>> systems. 




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