More Than a Backdrop

Having the ocean at my door has been one of the best things for my health and my spirit. Every day I get to wake up and spend on this incredible island is a treasured gift. Being able to rub the sleep from my eyes, kiss my fur babies, and head to the water is church for me. I can let go of everything and baptize myself, washing away whatever sins I have convinced myself of committing. The ocean, the reef, the island is sacred. The Holy Trinity. As much personal meaning as I ascribe to them, they mean so much to everyone. Not only for their beauty, but for what these delicate ecosystems provide for the communities that live near them and humanity at large. “Coral reefs are an important food source for the people who live near reefs, and, as nurseries, are vital to the world’s fisheries. Many of the compounds now being used in human medicines, including some that treat cancer, are found on coral reefs, with probably many more yet to be discovered. Coral reefs help humans in many other ways too: generating tourist dollars for communities (although tourism is a big issue on many islands and should be rethought in a more sustainable light) and—especially important in our changing climate—acting as natural barriers against storm events like hurricanes, typhoons, and even tsunamis. The annual value of the ecosystem services provided by coral reefs to millions of people is estimated to be over $375 billion.” - Coral Reef Alliance (coral.org) Since Hurricane Maria, I think a lot about how we can safeguard ourselves from severe weather and tropical storms. To a large degree, there isn’t much we can do aside from having preparedness kits ready, back-up generators, clean drinking water, and medical supplies. BUT! If keeping the reef strong can help to slow these storms before they create too much damage, then we have to protect her in any way we can. How can we do that? What are some of the ways in which we can do better to protect and care for our Earth?