[Bush+Coral Reefs] To consider, or not to consider: that is the question.

[This blog does not aim to offend anyone with different political preferences in any way.]





Although I abhor President Bush's war in Iraq and most of his leadership activities, it seems that one of his environmental policy proposals is actually making an intelligent choice for the future of our planet. This one in particular aims to protect marine life in several large expanses of area in the central Pacific Ocean (where the USA possess several islands). So I guess that I am probably inclined to approve of his environmental policies in any areas where oil is not involved...

Bush: "Sorry, but even though polar bears in Alaska are vulnerable to becoming an endangered species, they can't have that land for their homes and to breed their cubs! We need it for oil! Tell them to stop being selfish!"

Luckily, Bush's time as President is almost over. I pray that the next President will stop the oil drilling in Alaska and devote the funding towards creating more solar and wind power in the U.S.A., which will further help our oceans and our own land-wandering kind by lowering our greenhouse gas emissions. After all, corals are extremely sensitive to temperature and global warming has the potential to cause coral bleaching to a massive extent, devastating our corals and marine life that remain.

Enough of my Bush-bashing though. It seems that before he leaves his office, he plans on making a positive impact (or at least consider it). Two years ago, Bush implemented policies to fully protect the reef systems in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands by creating a gigantic marine nature reserve in the region, covering over 300,000 square kilometers of water (and the depths beneath that surface area, of course). Bush may be planning to do the same with all the other U.S. islands in the Pacific that have significant coral reefs around them. These islands include Baker, Howland, Jarvis, Johnston, Kingman, Palmyra, Wake and Rose Islands.

We are, however, skeptical to if the proposal will actually be approved. His announcement is at least seemingly promising.

A quote from the article:

"The world's coral reefs and coral species are in trouble. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently reported that nearly half of US coral reefs are in poor to fair condition. And a large group of international scientists recently reported that one-third of reef-building corals face elevated extinction risk from climate change and local impacts."

Want more info? Check out the Marine Conservation Biology Institute.

Here's another article about the subject.

posted by Sage @ 8/25/2008 08:50:00 PM Comments: 0