How to Educate the Population About Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are living ecosystems that sustain underwater communities.

Despite a growing interest in, and acknowledgement of, coral reefs and environmental issues, the population needs to know more. According to the Coral Reef Alliance, the majority of the population does not realize it is urgent that we protect coral reefs immediately --- research indicates that we only have five to seven years to make significant changes in our human behavior if coral reefs are to flourish for the next generations to come. To educate the population about coral reefs, starting with basic information of the intricacy of coral --- and that's it is a living organism, not a rock --- is paramount.

Things You'll Need

• Lecture notes
• Coral reef movie
• Coral models
• Damaged coral reef images
• Petition
• Diving equipment (optional)

Instructions

1. Create a lecture series about coral reefs. Teach the basic anatomy, structure and importance of coral reefs. Observe coral feeding behaviors and examine stinging cells. List and expand upon the individual animals that live on and live off coral reefs. Construct models of coral and show vivid and exciting images.

2. Discuss reasons why coral reefs are important to humans. In a classroom setting, explain the role of symbiosis in reef ecosystem. Talk about the differences between living corals in the ocean and the pieces of coral we often find while walking on a beach. Test students on their knowledge with an exam or quiz. Ask students to share the information they learned with at least five other people who do not know anything about coral reefs. This can include their family members at home, distant relatives and friends in another class.

3. Promote the IMAX film "Coral Reef Adventure." Show it at a local IMAX theater. Watch and share the film to experience the human view of coral reefs from the perspective of two ocean explorers. (See Resources.)

4. Start a coral reef club or alliance. If you live in an area with coral reefs, take members in your club deep-sea diving or snorkeling to see coral first-hand and up-close. Use microscopes to examine coral and identify its features. After each dive, talk about the important of coral reefs on all ocean life and what the human population can do to protect the reefs.

5. Campaign in neighborhoods to talk about coral reef destruction. According to the Coral Reef Alliance, as of 2011, coral reefs in 93 countries have endured severe damage or have been destroyed by human activities. Talk with neighbors, classrooms and local politicians about how human activities -- such as oil spills, environmentally unsound fishing practices, pollution and climate change -- wreck entire coral ecosystems. Ask folks interested in helping with the coral campaign to sign a petition. Deliver the names on the petition to a local government official, who can take the matter to next step.

6. Write newsletters, editorials and magazine articles about the state of the coral reefs. If you are not a writer, gather the resources written by others and make them available to the public. For instance, print newsletters and place them in a local coffee shop. The Coral Alliance Monthly Newsletter, in print and email versions, gives human interest stories, updates on environmental legislation and information about coral reef conservation.

7. Show images of human destruction of coral reefs on websites. People react to visual stimulation. Show the public images of how activities, such as dumping fuel in the ocean, destroys the entire habitat. To get an idea of how these articles have been written, visit coral reef organization websites (see Resources) to keep up to date on the threats and successes.

References

• Coral Reef Alliance
• Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College: Lab 1: Coral Reefs, the Human View
• Coral Film: Educational Activities & Resources

Resources

• Coral Film
• Environmental Protection Agency: Environmental Education Grants
• NOVA: National Coral Reef Institute
• National Geographic: Animals -- Coral (Images)