Times of the Islands Summer 2020

green pages newsletter of the department of environment & coastal resources
Staff and students at The School for Field Studies have been working hard to monitor local reefs off South Caicos in order to study the prominence
of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, coral bleaching and species composition of corals.
CARMEN HOYT
How can you help?
What steps can you take to help make a positive impact
on these beautiful reefs? Climate change is currently the
biggest threat not only to our coral reefs, but to most of
our islands and the entire globe. Coral bleaching, ocean
acidification and even changing ocean currents ultimately
stem from our changing climate.
Taking this into consideration, a solution might be
living simpler. Try to drive less and bike or walk more in
order to cut back on those carbon emissions and save
money at the same time. Experiment with making and
eating more vegetarian and vegan meals and less red
meat, as carbon emissions from raising and transporting
cows is actually high.
Use the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch
website, seafoodwatch.org, whenever thinking about
purchasing fish at grocery stores or restaurants to see
how sustainable and healthy your choice may be. For
instance, by switching to tuna caught from handlines,
much less bycatch (unintended catches such as sharks,
dolphins, etc.) will occur than those caught by longlines.
Generally, consume less, try to reuse old belongings,
and keep an eye on how many single-use plastics, such as
utensils, straws and packaging, you use. Trying to have a
positive impact on our world and environment can often
seem overwhelming; how can one person make a difference?
But keep in mind that your choices do matter on a
personal level, and you can use your knowledge to educate
others and help them make responsible choices as
well. The world is in your hands! a
For more information, contact SFS Center Director Heidi
Hertler, PhD at hhertler@fieldstudies.org.
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