Coral Reef Study

[haikuman]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070808/ap_on_re_as/asia_dying_coral

This is troubling and not meant to be political... *(:>*

Rudie

[Jack D.]

"It is just one more example of the striking, far reaching effects of climate change and our behavior," Bruno said of the link between climate change and reef destruction. "It is the folks in North Carolina driving their SUVs. It is their behavior that is having an effect way out in the Indo-Pacific."

Stupid North Carolina SUV drivers! Glad I live and drive my SUV in MA

[cbelt3]

Jack- your SUV driving is having an effect in Cleveland. (massive flooding this week). So stop, already.

[Jack D.]

[quote cbelt3]Jack- your SUV driving is having an effect in Cleveland. (massive flooding this week). So stop, already.
OK. Right after I gas up....

[SteveO]

Well, that is a shame. Flippant attitudes must change and definite actions taken for anything to be done about it. Or people like us will not be enjoying the sea's bounty (shrimp, shellfish, tuna, salmon, swordfish, scallops, lobsters, etc.) for much longer, not to mention other problems that will arise. Everything affects everything whether people WANT to realize that or not.

[cbelt3]

SteveO- a recent National geographic article on the Oceans had a remarkable set of graphics that show that the "fisheries" have crashed, and are continuing to crash. The oceans are about to become the Sahara of the 21st Century- barren wastelands with little life cause by a combination of overgrazing (fishing) and drought (pollution).

Only through fishery protection can these be regenerated. The best case in point I can recall from the article was the history of the Cod fisheries on the Grand Banks. Essentially, they're GONE. Cod used to be a major protein source in the Northern Atlantic. No more.

[davester]

Unfortunately, since the action (buying and solo commuting in a giant SUV) is so far removed from the effect (long term destruction of worldwide habitats, including our own), most people will continue with their flippant attitudes. The majority of people probably just don't use their intellects that much (cue Homer Simpson here), and there is a huge population who probably don't have the brains or interest required to understand links between their personal actions and worldwide consequences. Most people are more concerned with what the latest network sitcoms are, which fast food restaurant to go to tonight, or which trim package they can afford on their next automotive purchase.

Government action is required to alter the course of the currently in progress mass extinction.

[NewtonMP2100]

. . .I just saw a story on the local news how a guy is trying to "replant" coral. . .the more resistant to temperatures ones. . .in an attempt. . .to increase the numbers. . .

[Robo]

And the Chinese river dolphin was essentially declared extint in the news today. Glad I'll be dead before the worst of these environmental catastrophes are in full effect. Why anyone would have children now that will endure our legacy is beyond me.