5 Easy Things You can Do to Help save the Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world: it involves marine and plant life teeming within the coral structures and it stretches over 2,300km off Queensland coast, in north-east Australia.
There’s more.
It is also made up of about 3,000 individual coral reefs. A huge natural city which can leave you breathless!
The Great Barrier Reef is also home to more than 2000 different species, including corals, fish and endangered animals such as the green turtle.
Finally it is vital for coastal settlements as it protects the coast from waves and storms.
Unfortunately, this wonder it’s disappearing due to our activities and what we release into the environment. The good news is that so we can destroy it, we can also do something to protect it.
The question is: how to save Australia’s Great Barrier Reef?
Why is it at risk?
For the past 15 years, the Great Barrier Reef has already lost more than half of its corals.
The latest survey by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (Aims) on coral reef health bodes well, as some parts of the reef have some of the highest quantity of corals in the last 30 years. However these are very sensitive and not yet able to withstand bad conditions.
The main causes of this environmental disaster are various.
First of all, climate change and the excessive emission of greenhouse gases that cause the temperature to rise. Corals are in fact creatures extremely sensitive to temperature changes.
The climate emergency also involves the acidification of the oceans, which has equally devastating consequences on this delicate ecosystem.
Added to this are irresponsible tourism, illegal fishing activities, agricultural pollutants, pesticides and commonly used chemicals.
How to save the Great Barrier Reef: 5 simple things you can do
In order not to run into the usual anomalous distancing that makes us feel alien or distant when it comes to climate change or global pollution, I would like to point out that the effect of these phenomena directly affects each of us, our health, the possibility of enjoy the natural wonders and make trips that are worth the money spent, the quality of life and on the risk of disease and misfortune.
So our actions are very important.
Having said that, how can we save the Great Barrier Reef in our daily life?
choose responsible tourism
The simplest and most sensible thing you can do is learn to respect animals and nature, and make sure your actions don’t create destruction or suffering elsewhere.
The secret? Information and empathy.
The most striking example I can give you are starfish: millions of people pull them out of the water to take pictures and selfies, without knowing or caring that the poor creature out of the water does not breathe and risks drying up, so to die.
It may seem difficult, but I have specially prepared a guide on how to be a sustainable and ethical tourist. You can find it here, and it can be a great help in starting or perfecting this path.
reduce plastic and waste
After a few months of change and research I can say with certainty that it is possible to reduce plastic and waste quickly, easily and truly effectively, by changing the way we spend our money.
Instead of supporting multinationals or brands that pollute and add to unnecessarily packaging to products, just choose to invest in loose items or foods, second-hand clothes or products made up with recycled materials and so on.
There should be to talk for hours about “sustainable” products but for the moment I just advise you to always check labels and brands: get informed and everything will be easier and more rewarding.
choose sustainable mobility
So many big words to simply say when possible, choose to use the bicycle and walk, or opt for public transport and train to move, go to work, etc.
Again, if you’re not used to it, don’t judge yourself.
Start to alternate, see how you feel after each small change (for example, after you have used the bicycle to go to buy bread instead of the car), and you will see that with a little good will, the rest will come by itself.
In this way you will help reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and pollutants in the environment (therefore in the sea) and in the air you breathe, helping not only an ecosystem in danger but also your lungs.
choose natural products
Cosmetics and detergents are a sore point in our daily lives because they are doubly polluting: they create chemical pollution in the environment and in the oceans, and waste with packaging.
I have personally experimented with many natural alternatives and without artificial or unwanted chemicals. Alternatives that also avoid unnecessary packaging and waste, such as solid soaps, oils, utensils and tools in biodegradable and natural materials.
If you want some suggestions, here I have collected a good part of my favorite products, even if the list is constantly updated.
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spread the message and join the change
Sign a petition, join a demonstration, donate, volunteer, share educational content or just have a chat and tell a friend what you’ve learned.
Each of us has our own methods and preferences on how to save the Great Barrier Reef. The only really important thing is to take action and not just move on.
There are many organizations active for the protection of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Any suggestions:
If you still don’t feel ready, share this article and let’s make sure that as many people as possible choose a sustainable life and travel approach, the planet will surely be grateful to you!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. This commission has no additional cost to you.
Writing is what connects me to people, love for nature is the filter with which I live and capture my experiences; I long for learning new things, observing and smiling to the world, sharing my experiences with those who have the same passions.
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