Completed the report yesterday, submitted it today. 

~Edwin

Next up, Me, Gerald and Kevin are going to do the report of 2000 - 3000 words on our project.

We're still planning.

~Edwin

Just noticed that Kevin wants background music for the experiment video. And he's going to do a voiceover at the same time? Ok. Finding the appropriate background music shouldn't be too hard, in my opinion.

~Edwin

Did my part of the video yesterday and submitted it today in school.

Now waiting for the video to be completely compiled and edited.

Helping out with research and planning for the time being.

~Edwin

Can't find much more information to research that hasn't been found yet. Sad.

~Edwin

Oh, and I'm sorry, but I can't put a tagboard up until I change the blogskin, so maybe any comments can be left at the group blog? (I might not change the blogskin at all.) Or you can drop me a comment, but I don't have the slightest idea how to read it. So, yeah.

~Edwin

Hi,

Well, since we've got the matter of blogskins and whatnot out of the way, here's my research.

Why are coral reefs dying?

1) Corals are damaged by anchors from fishing, diving and cargo boats.

2) Over fishing with inappropriate fishing techniques.

3) Corals are smothered by eroded soil.

4) Corals overgrown by seaweed, caused by the over-fertilization of the coastal areas by nutrients from sewage and agriculture.

5) Corals are turning white, "bleaching", from excessively high temperatures. 

6) Progressive tissue death by infectious diseases, possibly affected by pollution and climate change. 

Marine scientists predict that the ocean's coral reefs could die in 50 to 75 years. Scientists believe this is due to the general increase in the atmospheric temperature and increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. The increase in Co2 levels make the ocean more acidic. Warmer and more acidic oceans can cause coral "bleaching" and death. 

In order to help the ocean's coral reefs,

Some solutions to the above problems :

Problem 1) Install moorings.

Problem 2) Establish fishing reserves, halt spear, dynamite and poison fishing, and develop mariculture.

Problem 3) Reforestation of coastal watersheds, no-till agriculture, terracing, contour plowing, silt curtains.

Problem 4) Tertiary treatment of all sewage to remove nutrients, more efficient use of fertilizers.

Problem 5) Global agreements to halt global warming and greenhouse gas buildup in atmosphere.

Problem 6) There is really too little known to identify a solution to this problem.

Other things you can do to help the coral reefs:

~ Be a smart consumer

- Support the health of oceans when you shop by understanding how your purchases can affect the environment.

~ Live sustainably

- Conserve energy to reduce your carbon footprint. This can help fight the effects of global warming and lessen large-scale threats to reef ecosystems.

- Take small, but powerful and environmentally conscious steps like switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs, planting native trees, buying energy-efficient cars, and teleconferencing instead of flying.

- Follow the 3 R's, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ameliorate the negative impacts of pollution and landfills on the health of our oceans. 

~ Teach others

- Many people don't realize that our coral reefs are in trouble. Give, teach, and inspire on behalf of coral reefs.

Some easy steps to protect coral reefs: 

1) Conserve water : The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater will pollute our oceans.

2) Help reduce pollution : Walk, cycle, or take the bus. Fossil fuel emissions from cars and industry raise lead to ocean warming which causes mass-"bleaching" of corals and can lead to widespread destruction of reefs.

3) Use only ecological or organic fertilizers : Non-such fertilizers can flow into the water system, pollute the ocean and can harm coral reefs and marine life. 

4) Dispose of your trash properly : Don't leave unwanted stuff on the beach. Any kind of litter pollutes the water and can harm the reef and fish.

5) Support reef-friendly businesses : Ask the fishing, boating, hotel, aquarium, dive or snorkeling operators how they protect the reef. Be sure they care for it.

6) Plant a tree : Trees reduce runoff into the oceans. You will also contribute to reversing the warming of our planet and the rising temperatures of our oceans. 

7) Practice safe and responsible diving and snorkeling : Do not touch the reef or anchor your boat on the reef. Contact with the coral can kill the delicate coral animals, and anchoring on the reef can kill it, so look for sandy bottoms or moorings if available.

8) Volunteer for a coral reef cleanup : Visit a coral reef. Spend an afternoon enjoying the beauty of one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.

9) Spread the word : Remember your own excitement at learning how important the planet's coral reefs are to us and the intricate global ecosystem. Share this excitement and encourage others to get involved. 

Credits go to :

globalcoral.org

save-reef.blogspot.com

~Edwin