[Coral-List] Crazy Ideas to Save Coral Reefs
Steve Mussman
sealab at earthlink.net
Sat Sep 8 14:04:53 EDT 2012
While pursuing the idea of appealing to the scuba industryâs governing
body (DEMA) to issue a statement recognizing the threat that climate
change holds for our worldâs coral reef ecosystems, a number of relevant
issues were revealed. Among them is the simple fact that realistically the
effort is unlikely to succeed as long as a lack of accord continues to exist
among those in the trade relating to the extent of the threat as well as
perceptions regarding cause and effect. One also has to recognize the fact
that such statements do little to actually mitigate against rising CO2
levels,
although it does seem logical to assume that recognition of the problem by
way of a supportive position statement would have to be considered a move
in the right direction. To be sure, no one is asserting that divers in and
of
themselves can, by way of a public affirmation, save the world's coral
reefs.
But still many would assume that divers, by virtue of their close
association
with marine ecosystems, would be predisposed to aiding in the development
of grass-roots support for efforts aimed at coral reef conservation.
However, it suddenly became obvious that perhaps an important element
relating to the forcefulness of an appeal for action was missing. In
examining
extensive lists of scientific organizations that have made unequivocal
statements
confirming the threat that climate change presents to coral systems did an
apparent void exist? With the exception of The Australian Coral Reef
Society,
I wasn't able to find a declaration that clearly represented the definitive
voice
of American and/or international coral reef scientists. Then I stumbled upon
the
Consensus Statement on Climate Change and Coral Reefs formulated at the
12th International Coral Reef Symposium in Cairns just a few months ago.
( http://www.icrs2012.com/Consensus_Statement.htm)
To effectively appeal to the diving industry (or the public at large) with
any
hope of prevailing, at the very least one would have to be armed with
explicit
and unambiguous scientific reinforcement. The symposium's declaration may
well represent that previously undetected smoking gun. Perhaps it may be
naivete,
but what more direct confirmation could one anticipate? Now, that statement
needs
to be more fully exposed and promoted for although sought out, it nearly
eluded
discovery.
Can the scuba diving industry when confronted with the communique described
above continue to avoid endorsing the content and spirit of the declaration?
It can,
but not without revealing a clear and transparent view of conspicuously
misplaced
priorities and objectives.
Steve Mussman
Sea Lab Diving
More information about the Coral-List
mailing list