I just
ordered LIFE ON THE ROCKS by Juli Berwald because our student
researchers have expressed significant interest in coral reefs over the past
few years. They are concerned about bleaching and the “death” of these natural
habitats. As students research efforts to save the reefs, I often notice
frustration with the low priority, slow progress, and fragmented approach to
this issue. Berwald, who has a doctorate in ocean science from USC, shares
these concerns and argues persuasively that “coral reefs have long been disproportionately
undervalued and we have gravely underinvested in their health.” In fact, she
subtitles her new book “Building a Future for Coral Reefs” and looks at actions
being pursued in the United States, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, and
Australia. She states that to have success at scale requires a “multipronged
effect,” combining philanthropy, corporate and government intervention with
efforts to “stop burning fossil fuels, manage fishing, and prioritize sanitation.”
Berwald just contributed an essay titled “Financing
a Healthy Future for Coral Reefs” to The Wall Street Journal; it briefly lays
out financial innovations like reef insurance, blue bonds, and debt for nature
swaps – all designed to help finance maintenance and recovery of marine
environments. She begins with the astounding facts that “corals occupy less
than 1% of the ocean’s habitat but are home to a quarter of all marine species,
which provide protein in the form of seafood for up to a billion people
globally.” Her book perceptively describes the science and complexity of
climate change’s impact on the reefs while weaving in the personal story of her
daughter’s struggle with mental health – situations requiring a long-term
perspective and immediate action. LIFE ON THE ROCKS contains significant
notes to aid our researchers and it received a starred review from Booklist (“Teens
interested in marine biology will enjoy Berwald's clear-eyed chronicle”).
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