In 2016 my husband and I went to the Great Barrier Reef, a two hour boat ride over heaving seas, leaving from Cairns in Queensland. Our boat tied up in its appointed spot near the reef and we received our equipment and stinger suits to be used over the 2 1/2 days. Most of the 40 passengers were scuba divers. We were the only snorkelers, since my husband can no longer scuba and I am a chicken. No matter. What we saw over the 11 different dips was another universe, unlike anything else in the world.
For those of you who have snorkeled or scubaed in other places, IT’S NOT ABOUT THE FISH! The coral reef itself is a garden of delights, more colorful and larger than any terrestrial garden. And, as snorkelers, we could float 2 to 3 feet above, like butterflies hunting for nectar. Lately in the news (Newsweek, March 25, 2017 ) there have been dire warnings that perhaps 30-60%% of the reef which extends 500 miles is bleached out, colorless, and no longer living. While the life of the reef changes with changing currents and other large weather events, most people believe that the warming ocean is not a short lived phenomenon.
Does it really matter say the climate deniers and hard power crowd (Guardian vs. Breitbart)? Is this just a pretty site that does not harm the top of the food chain (us) in any way? For one, there are the many jobs–estimated 65,000– in the tourism industry in Queensland that will go away if this 8th Wonder of the World dies. Two, the reef feeds fish, and we eat fish.
So you see what could go away, I want to leave you with a little video I made from our underwater adventure last spring. Great Barrier Reef near Cairns 2016
Other states, other lives, other souls 