If you've read any other posts on this blog or been on facebook for more than 5 minutes, you already know that our class got to snorkel around some of the Great Barrier Reef yesterday. It's hard not to gush about all the coral and fish we got to see, and I'm no different in that respect. There is a reason why this underwater paradise is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and it was a HUGE item on my bucket list. I'm so thankful that we got to spend a full day playing in the water and exploring this amazing place.
Despite the beauty and fortitude of the endless coral, there were distinct and disheartening signs of human impact. For every piece of live coral, you could see at least one of dead. Large sections of the reef were dull in both color and activity. The snorkeling company was quick to blame natural climate fluctuation and el nino events, but I guessed a sadder and more frightening culprit: climate change. Yes, the big 'C' words have even started to have an effect on these vast expanses of coral. GBRMPA, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, identified Climate Change as the largest threat to the Reef's health. A few ways that they identified the impact are increased severe weather events, ocean acidification, rising sea temperatures, and rising sea levels.
There was coral which we swam over that was over 200,000 years old. This huge collection of living organisms has been through severe weather and natural fluctuation of the ocean, but it too is at risk of the dangers of climate change. This beautiful hub of life and wonder is fragile. Most coral can only grow 1-3 millimeters a year. There is no replacing this landmark if we destroy it. We owe it to our world and to the beautiful fish to respect it and preserve it for future generations to enjoy. And ourselves, when we want to visit back and see the same reef we saw when were were in college.
In other news, I saw a shark in the wild, which might have been the most amazing experience of my life so far. If anyone knows me, they know sharks are one of my favorite animals. I actually dove for it before realizing that perhaps I wanted to enjoy the rest of my trip and not have a shark attack. It was only the promise of future diving that kept me from exploring this creature more, because honestly, it would be totally awesome to say you were attacked by a shark. Really Mom, I'm just kidding, promise.
Our wonderful day concluded with a wonderful classy evening out to a fancy Italian restaurant where I had some of the best gnocchi I've ever tasted. It was a four cheese pasta with some fried breadcrumbs on top for a good crunch and it rivaled some of the food I've had in Little Italy of Cleveland, not that I would admit that to anyone there. We trekked home in monsoon-esque rains and waded shin deep across streets. I miss Ohio thunderstorms while I'm stuck in the constant drizzle of Washington, but this took rain to a whole new level. We laughed the whole way home and arrived at the hostel considerably wetter than when we left, which is saying something due to the showers we all had taken prior to dinner.
All in all, it was a wonderful day and definitely marks one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I know I'll remember it forever and I can't wait to come back and visit again.
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