[Coral-List] Take care in making attributions on the trigger for SCTLD

Wed Mar 15 20:30:49 UTC 2023

Thanks Steve, You clearly understood my point.

Our international transdisciplinary research is based on case studies. We
take into account the available information about the Pressure, State,
Impact, Response and Management indicators to identify potential causes of
coral reefs degradation. In 20 years, it has proved the assertion that
human activities are causing the loss of this valuable ecosystem at both
local and global scales. That is why, I was urged to recommend
alternative solutions at the ICRS 2022.

According to our research, most of the deniers of the negative impact of
dredging on coral reef areas, have a direct involvement in the development
of megaproject$ or contract$ to scale up shadow projects (Promises to
restore coral after the allowed negative impacts).

Let us consider other case study in the world:

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/140716-australia-coral-reef-dredging-sediment-disease-environment-ocean

*Interestingly, Pogo imagined politics in an individualist frame by
stressing the personal dimensions of environmental citizenship. Pogo evoked
the notion of universal responsibility. The satirist’s goal meant to
provoke political or societal change, the emphasis placed upon individual
action. https://library.osu.edu/site/40stories/2020/01/05/we-have-met-the-enemy/
<https://library.osu.edu/site/40stories/2020/01/05/we-have-met-the-enemy/>*
All the best,

Nohora Galvis
Expert in Transdisciplinary research to improve coral reef conservation
effectiveness
ICRO, International Coral Reef Observatory.
Follow us on Facebookcom/ICRObservatory
Instagram, Twitter and Twitter  ICR_Observatory

El lunes, 13 de marzo de 2023, Steve Mussman via Coral-List <
coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> escribió:

>
> Dear Nohora,
>
> It seems that two conflicting narratives are developing here.
>
> I would argue that, (like the comic strip character Pogo), you have
> clearly identified the (right) enemy . . . and he is us.
>
> Are “environmental crusaders”, those who want to directly confront the
> myriad of local and global stressors you mentioned promoting their agenda
> just to raise money and to make their funders feel good? Or have those
> questionable motives become the provenance of overzealous restoration
> advocates who would have us believe that the right way forward is to focus
> on attempts to offset environmental degradation by outplanting genetically
> modified corals specifically designed to withstand any and all of the
> inevitable insults that we insist on continuing to heap upon coral reefs
> with impunity?
>
> I’d like to think that both sides are motivated by unassailable ideals,
> but I can’t help but conclude that the focus on restoration and the
> development of “super corals” in response to the demise of the world’s
> coral reefs is especially good news for one particular constituency - those
> who are intent on maintaining a business as usual approach.
>
> Regards,
>
> Steve Mussman
>
> On 3/8/23, 3:52 PM, International Coral Reef Observatory via Coral-List <
> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:
>
> Thanks Leslie for your caution that adds perfectly to the necessary
>
> discussion. Let me take the opportunity to greet all female coral listers
>
> on the International Women's Day.
>
> Great to underline the courage that some conservationists have shown.
>
> Perhaps calling them "environmental crusaders" is a compliment to the
>
> people that care about coral reef conservation. Some people need to walk
>
> the extra mile to improve it, even if money is not buying their
>
> consciences.
>
> Optimistic or Pessimistic perspectives separately will not improve
>
> conservation effectiveness if the "real enemy" is not acknowledged, ALL the
>
> potential causes should be addressed as a precautionary principle. We can
>
> look at a coral colony being infected by SCTLD in the first stages and say
>
> that it is half healthy or half sick but the fact is that it is in a
>
> process of degradation that compromises the integrity of the whole
>
> ecosystem !! https://www.instagram.com/p/B_AC_Qvj5vt/
>
> Nine years from the appearance of SCTLD in the reports with a specific
>
> location in the Caribbean Sea and multiple scientists dedicated to study of
>
> SCTLD, but interesting enough, the "right enemy" has not been identified
>
> within the dates (2013- 2015 Dredging operation), perhaps exactly the
>
> enemy, it is the $$$ that funds megaprojects on coral reef areas and hires
>
> with confidential contracts to deviate attention from potential local
>
> causes that justify outbreak factors and epidemics pathways.
>
> Of course, it is vague to blame Climate Change so it is convenient. I
>
> agree, it always has a component to influence outbreaks too. Thus, there is
>
> nothing to stop specifically anywhere or change specifically as it is a
>
> global problem and the blue economy is funding coral restoration to "save
>
> coral reefs".
>
> Overpopulation in a coral reef area, leaking of pollution e.g. sewage,
>
> import of aquaria, silting and destruction of coral reefs have become
>
> scientifically accepted...with the good news that genetically, someday will
>
> be possible to create super corals that will survive any kind of local or
>
> global threats without any need for changing human behavior or
>
> improving decision making!!
>
> All the best,
>
> Nohora Galvis
>
> Expert in Transdisciplinary research to improve coral reef conservation
>
> effectiveness
>
> ICRO, International Coral Reef Observatory.
>
> Follow us on Facebookcom/ICRObservatory
>
> Instagram, Twitter and Twitter ICR_Observatory
>
> El mar, 7 mar 2023 a las 7:20, Kaufman, Leslie S via Coral-List (<
>
> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>) escribió:
>
> > > Regarding the origin of SCTLD, it is important to keep things in
>
> > perspective. The notion that sediment disturbance could have triggered
> the
>
> > coral disease syndrome SCTLD is a valid if yet unproven hypothesis. For
>
> > Port of Miami, so is the possibility of SCTLD being launched by the Miami
>
> > sewer outfall and Miami River. There may be other hypotheses as well. The
>
> > evidence is not nearly conclusive as yet in support of any particular
>
> > hypothesis. The real issue in Florida is the overall overdevelopment of
>
> > the Kissimee ecosystem from Orlando to Key West, plus the failure to
>
> > adequately consider the environment and marginalized people in
> development
>
> > plans. There may even be no plan other than get in, suck profits, get
> out.
>
> > Environmental crusaders should stick with rigor to the data and be
> careful
>
> > to choose the right enemy, unless the intent is really just to raise
> money
>
> > to keep crusading. That of course requires a simple story and a singular
>
> > target to make funders feel good.
>
> >
>
> > _______________________________________________
>
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>
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>
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>
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