I don’t want to start a debate about global warming since it a mainstream established fact. But, in addition to this, humans pose multiple threats to our ecosystem and wildlife. Pollution, loss of habitat, unnatural ecosystem changes, invasive species, and others all threaten the worlds coral reefs. The World Wildlife Fund has just come out with the statistic that, of all monitored wildlife species, their populations are reduced buy 60% due to human activities, IN THE LAST 40 YEARS. This fact I found to be chilling to the bone. With more frequent and worse bleaching events predicted, I’m fearful that everything we have in our tanks will become endangered, possibly in our lifetimes. My local fish store is actually initiating a “homegrown project” to buy and sell locally propagated corals to reduce reliance on imports. The recent Indonesian ban is foreshadowing the future of our hobby.
Given these revelations, when I look at my reef, I have a greater sense of responsibility, and am starting to think in much longer terms. I have very young family members who may never have the opportunity to see these creatures in the wild. They will also be the generation who has to deal with the consequences of our societies actions.
I was wondering if others here are also suffering this long term sense of dread?
