Coral Reef Essay

Mr. KrupensHow Can We Preserve the World’s Coral Reefs Critical Thinking Questions and AnswersHow does the current state of the world’s coral reefs illustrate each of the six key themes of this book? Human population: With current state of coral reefs, we are definitely valuing the quality of life of a person living today because of the fact that coral reefs are indirectly, sometimes directly, destroyed by over fishing using the methods such as using dynamites or cyanides which causes corals to be destroyed and damaged. However we have to start thinking about the future generations. Sustainability: With current state of coral reefs, the persistence of these resources for future generations is more important because of the fact that coral reefs provide priceless economic benefits (worth $375 billion dollars) and it is slowly getting destroyed. Global Perspective: With current state of coral reefs, we have to value the environment of the entire planet otherwise numerous s pecies of sea organisms, such as fishes, will lose their home which may cause other predators to eventually die out too. This will cause domino effect just by coral reefs getting destroyed around the world, which will bring huge economic and environmental effect on human. Urban World: Both human creativity and persistence of certain endangered species are important because for sure human creativity can be used to save the endangered species. For example, using art to advertise- giving awareness about endangered species. Using science to create medications for endangered species. This means we can help save coral reefs by using human creativity. People and Nature: If people have altered the environment for much of the time our species has been on earth, the word â€Å"natural† can be referred to as places where it is undeveloped by human kind. For example, very deep in the ocean bottom. Science and Values: We need knowledge about our environment so human kind can last for longest period we can possibly stay on earth for, and in order to do that, we have to cooperate with our environment and we have to study our environment. What are the utilitarian, ecological, aesthetic, and moral justification for preserving coral reefs? Utilitarian justification: Coral reefs are associated to 1 million marine organisms. It  will help fisherman to be economically stable and healthy just by preserving coral reefs as well as merc hants who live off by tourists. Ecological Justification: Coral reefs are associated with 1 million marine organisms. Some of the marine organisms that are associated with coral reefs go directly to our stomach. In addition, reef fish constitute about 15% of the entire world wide catch. Aesthetic Justification: There is countless of tourists who appreciate the beauty of nature. Millions of tourists from around the world who flock to reef areas to fish, swim, dive, and enjoy their beauty. Moral Justification: Coral reefs has moral rights to not get destroyed and stay healthy because coral reefs that exist today are 5,000 to 10,000 years old. Also by taking the brunt of the force of waves, coral reefs protect coastlines from erosion, function that is estimated to be $50,000 per year, which may be more than some people’s yearly salary. They already are associated to millions of marine organisms too, so they definitely have their rights to not get destroyed or harmed. If Maitri were making his living by fishing rather than farming shrimp, how might he view the preservation of coral reefs? What ar rangements could be made to meet his needs but at the same time preserve coral reefs in his area? Maitri will definitely have positive instinct on preserving the coral reefs because coral reefs will soon provide his living. As said, coral reefs are associated with about 1 million marine organisms and 15% of the entire worldwide catch is reef fish. In order for him to meet his needs and preserve coral reefs is to limiting himself on the amount that his catching per year, but about to making living out of it. Also he should not use dynamite and cyanide methods to catch fishes. In addition, he should definitely be aware about not to destroy or pry apart the coral reefs while fishing in any methods that he choose to. What things can you do in your everyday life to contribute to the preservation of coral reefs? For me, as a student, all I can contribute to the preservation of coral reefs are to conserve water (less waste water dumped in ocean), reduce pollution (help reduce ocean warming), dispose my trash properly (no water is polluted), use only ecological or organic fertilizers (so ocean is not polluted), volunteer for a coral reef cleanup, practice safe and responsible diving and snorkeling (so no coral is harmed or destroyed), and especially spread the word.