Scientists Respond to NYT Op-Ed: A World without Coral Reefs

Aloha all,

Last week an Op-Ed in the New York Times, "A World Without Coral Reefs" by Roger Bradbury  (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/14/opinion/a-world-without-coral-reefs.html?_r=1) went viral.  He referred to coral reefs as "zombie ecosystems, neither dead nor truly alive in any functional sense, and on a trajectory to collapse within a human generation."  I happen to strongly disagree with him on that point, as do others.  There are a lot of truths in his article and a conversation that needs attention, to be sure.  But especially here in Hawaii, we have hope for our reefs, and nature is amazingly resilient...IF we decide to be proactive about keeping them healthy, which means they need fish for ecosystem services such as reducing algal growth, and clean, clear, low nutrient water.

There have been some responses to the article that you should read from scientists like John Bruno, Jeremy Jackson, Carl Safina, and more.  I have included two blog responses of interest that I hope you take the time to read...I'll just include one brief excerpt but there is more, well worth your five minutes that it will take to read...because it is not all doom and gloom, but it is serious.  From John Bruno (excerpt):

The world’s coral reefs have indeed changed, are under enormous pressure, and their future is threatened.

But are they really “on a trajectory to collapse within a human generation”? No.

Is there really “no hope of saving the global coral reef ecosystem”? No, there is hope.

And is the “scientific evidence for this is compelling and unequivocal”? No, not remotely.

I think these are valid opinions, but they are not science, nor are they supported by science. 

http://theseamonster.net/2012/07/jeremy-jacksons-take-on-zombie-ecology/

http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/14/reefs-in-the-anthropocene-zombie-ecology/

Lanai, Photo by Darla White

Reefs are under significant pressure and there will be losses...it will be different.   Yes, many of our reefs are in decline and Hawaii is not immune to the warming ocean temperatures and ocean acidification, but healthy reefs will be more resilient to these pressures.  Our reefs are priceless for so many reasons, so we need to manage our reefs effectively, and we need communities to get involved and support proactive strategies for ensuring Hawaii's reefs will be around for the grandkids and beyond.

We all have to be good stewards. We can do something about overfishing, pollution, and sedimentation, and it starts with understanding that each and every person living on these islands can do something to make it better.  A positive place to start is by cutting back on your own CO2 emissions (electricity usage, meat consumption, fuel, buy local, etc.) and supporting renewable energy initiatives.  Be pono about fishing and take only what you need.  And remember, everything is connected mauka to makai, so think about the products you buy and use and how you dispose of things...all drains lead to the ocean.

Mahalo, Darla


Darla J White
Special Projects Coordinator
DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, Maui
130 Mahalani Street, Wailuku HI 96793

Eyes of the Reef
Climate Change and Marine Disease Local Action Strategy
Island Coordinator, Maui
www.reefcheckhawaii.org/eyesofthereef

Cell: 808-281-4916
onareef@yahoo.com
darla.j.white@hawaii.gov