Marine Monday, Episode 3, March 6, 2017.

Short, but inspirational, video: http://www.reefliferestoration.com/single-post/2017/02/25/Corals-Build-Underwater-Fish-Cities

Let's talk about coral reef bleaching. To break this complicated subject down a bit for the purposes of a Monday morning read, I will limit this tutorial to a few short paragraphs.

What is coral reef bleaching?
Corals are animals which rely on a symbiotic relationship with many sea creatures, including something called photosynthetic algae. The coral provides an environment of protection and materials for photosynthesis(the process by which the algae makes its own food, like many plants on the land do). The algae, in turn, provides the coral with vital oxygen, glucose, and amino acids, which the coral needs to make calcium carbonate in order to grow. It also provides the coral with its beautiful colors.
When the coral is stressed (such as when the water becomes too warm, i.e.climate change, or is exposed to an abundance of pollution), it can expel the algae, which results in a whitish, "bleached" look. If the coral goes too long without the algae, it will die.


Why does this matter?
This is important because within any ecosystem, if something changes dramatically, it affects everything else within that ecosystem and beyond. Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and so many creatures ultimately rely on them, including humans. The reef system (and the ocean in general) provides food, jobs, and protection. The health of the reefs is tied to the health of the oceans, which is ultimately tied to every other living thing on the planet, including us!


What can I do about it?
This week's action step is to write your congressperson using the link below asking them to take action on climate change. It only takes a few minutes! You don't need to print, just hit send and it sends it for you! https://citizensclimatelobby.org/write-congress-about-climate-change/#/7/

According to this website, this is a suggested way to formulate your letter: You can make your letter short and to the point.

Suggested outline for your letter:

• Introduce yourself with a little something about you – job, children, faith affiliation, etc. and mention why climate change is a concern for you. Cite an impact projected in your area.
• Point out that 13 Republicans in the House and 5 in the Senate have attached their names to resolutions/amendments that affirm the existence of climate change and the need to provide solutions.
• Say that you think the best solution is carbon fee and dividend and ask if he/she will introduce or support such legislation.
• Ask for a reply.

We will automatically include an opening salutation to your member of Congress and your signature at the end.

This was my letter. Feel free to copy/put your own stuff in/and send! Done! Next week we will talk about a Carbon Fee solution.

Dear Congress Members,

My name is Lynn Sisler and I am writing to you on behalf of the coral reefs. I am an artist and educator living in western Massachusetts, and I am very concerned with the direction and attitudes my government has taken with the subject of climate change recently.

Climate change is real, and the dramatic change in recent years is due directly because of human actions. Although I am not a scientist, I have done my research. The coral reefs around the globe are showing signs of stress, mainly due to warming ocean waters. This is a sign of an ecosystem which is not sustainable or healthy, which ultimately affects humans via economy, food availability, and weather patterns. 

One of the best solutions, at least to start, would be a carbon fee. I'm asking that you introduce and/or support such legislation. We also need to continue to work with other countries to support the actions/plans made at the Climate Change Summit in 2016. 

Please reply and let me know that you are with the coral reef!  

Sincerely,

Lynn Sisler

Florence, MA