One quarter of all ocean life depends on the tiny animals that are Coral Reefs. And they are cooking to death.
“Hidden from view, under the ocean waves, an alarm is going off in glowing color. It’s a warning as devastating as it is beautiful….one we can’t afford to ignore. In a desperate attempt to survive the increasing underwater heat waves caused by the 93% climate-change heat that is absorbed by the ocean, corals produce vibrantly colored chemicals that act as sunscreens to protect themselves from the heat. It is as if the corals are screaming in color; the ultimate warning that the ocean is in trouble.
“We often forget that the Ocean sustains all life on Earth. And few people understand that it is as complex and vulnerable as the human body—even a small change in temperature or chemistry causes vital systems to start shutting down. This is why we should be alarmed when corals start ‘glowing’; this is the indicator of system failure for planet Earth. For the first time in human history, we’re witnessing the collapse of a global-scale ecosystem—coral reefs."
-Richard Vevers, Founder and CEO of The Ocean Agency
"Nothing is more emblematic of our global ecological crisis than the decline of the magical ecosystems that are our coral reefs."
-Dr. Drew Harvell, marine ecologist, author, Ocean Outbreak: Confronting the Rising Tide of Marine Disease
“We often forget that the Ocean sustains all life on Earth. And few people understand that it is as complex and vulnerable as the human body—even a small change in temperature or chemistry causes vital systems to start shutting down. This is why we should be alarmed when corals start ‘glowing’; this is the indicator of system failure for planet Earth. For the first time in human history, we’re witnessing the collapse of a global-scale ecosystem—coral reefs."
-Richard Vevers, Founder and CEO of The Ocean Agency
"Nothing is more emblematic of our global ecological crisis than the decline of the magical ecosystems that are our coral reefs."
-Dr. Drew Harvell, marine ecologist, author, Ocean Outbreak: Confronting the Rising Tide of Marine Disease
The image at the top of the page is a section of our collaborative painting "Screaming in Color". It is our translation of the Ocean's warning through vivid coloring of corals in their last gasp of coral fluorescence before dying.
The image below are the actual corals in the state of fluorescence, as their last ditch efforts to save themselves.
The coral reefs are dying in mass numbers all across our globe. The astounding documentary, "Chasing Coral" is essential viewing for everyone who cares about our oceans. You may never be the same after seeing what is happening to our reefs. We hope you will watch, learn and be inspired to protect them in every way you can. Pass the word! See "Chasing Coral" and get everyone you know to see this Netflix film.
Please watch the documentary Chasing Coral
in recognition of the
50th Anniversary of Earth Day Exhibition, April 22, 2020
and please view our Virtual Exhibition
The Flowers Are Burning...Oceans A Rising
Chasing Coral has an excellent website and steps to take action.
Please watch the documentary Chasing Coral
in recognition of the
50th Anniversary of Earth Day Exhibition, April 22, 2020
and please view our Virtual Exhibition
The Flowers Are Burning...Oceans A Rising
Chasing Coral has an excellent website and steps to take action.
Websites:
- What is a Coral Reef? Check out the Ocean Conservancy Blog with amazing pictures and information
- The Coral Reef Alliance
- Smithsonian: Corals and Coral Reefs
- The Nature Conservancy: Coral Reefs
- The Ocean Agency: Coral Fluorescing
What You Can Do:
- Restoring Endangered Coral Reefs. Ocean Conservancy and Coral Restoration Foundation work together on a recovery plan.
- Reef Resilience Network for anyone seriously interested in any aspect of conservation or restoration of coral reefs.