Page 14 - Ocean Artist Society Winter2015r1

Reduce Pesticides
Rachel Carson first called attention to the damaging effects of pesticides in her seminal book, “Silent Spring.” Over use or improper use of pesticides contaminates land and water supplies. When ingested, these chemicals are passed along the food chain, with severe impacts on biodiversity.
Limit Greenhouse Gases
Coral reefs continue to struggle as seas become more acidic due to global warming and increased carbon dioxide levels. As a result, corals cannot absorb the calcium carbonate they need to maintain their skeletons. While this is bad news for the many species that depend on coral reefs for food and shelter, ocean acidification also affects snails, clams, and urchins that also make calcium carbonate shells.
Overfishing
Improved technology, geographic expansion of targeting species lower in the food web has had a severe impact on the marine biodiversity. Zoning the oceans into unfished marine reserves and areas with limited levels of fishing would allow for more sustainable fisheries. For consumers in industrialized nations, there are numerous guides to help consumers and businesses make smarter seafood choices for healthy oceans.
Science literacy
Improved science literacy provides the building blocks for behavior change that can reduce the loss of biodiversity. By supporting funding for science in schools, we can increase public commitment to conservation.
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