Written by Marisa Klaas
edited by Nina Bowen
Hello everyone!
My name is Marisa Klaas, and I am a high school senior and a member of Reef Renewal’s Youth Science Advisory Committee (YSAC). Through YSAC, I have learned about coral reefs and different ways to get involved in research and activism. While I’ve always loved spending time in nature, my deepest fascination lies with our oceans. While I don’t have any formal experience in marine biology, I have taken part in river cleanups and I have planted several gardens in my community. I have also signed countless petitions and sent emails to my congressmen urging environmental protections. I want the world to be a cleaner place, and even though I am far from the ocean, I do my best to make eco-conscious choices to make a difference.
Why I’m A Member of YSAC
I’ve witnessed shorelines along riverbanks and beaches covered in trash, light pollution scattered along skylines, and forests stripped by deforestation. I have also seen the impacts of coral reef bleaching and large-scale plastic pollution through social media and email newsletters. It is no surprise that our Earth faces countless threats and needs our protection, which is why I want my career to emphasize safeguarding marine ecosystems.
My goal is to be involved in various research projects and collaborate with others to get policies passed to protect our oceans from fishing vessels and offshore drilling. Additionally, I want to implement pledges for states to cut carbon emissions. One day, I want my kids and the future generations to experience all that our ocean provides. I want them to experience cleaner air, drink fresher water, and witness a beautiful, thriving marine ecosystem. The ocean is full of mysteries waiting to be discovered, which is why we must protect it before it is too late.
The Importance of Spreading Awareness and Taking Action
The ocean is currently facing a myriad of threats such as overfishing, marine heatwaves, acidification, and plastic pollution. Overfishing causes an imbalance in food webs, and some fishing techniques, like bottom trawling, can destroy entire ecosystems. Reefs also suffer from marine heatwaves, which cause corals to bleach and eventually die. Ocean acidification makes it hard for coral reefs to rebuild because it depletes the calcium carbonate from the water, which corals need to build their skeletons. Plastic pollution is also a major threat and can kill marine animals through entanglement, ingestion, and suffocation. Although I have only seen most of these problems through the media, it has fueled my passion to fight for our oceans
Since being a part of YSAC, I have been able to make waves in my community, both big and small. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the challenges our ocean faces. Mainstream news sources often overlook environmental issues, and many communities don’t know the steps to take to get involved in advocacy. I remember reading an essay in my English class about climate change, and my teacher asked how many of us truly cared about the state of our climate, and very few people spoke up. When I came home and told my parents and my sister that over half the Great Barrier Reef is dead, they were in disbelief. I joined Coral Currents so I could raise awareness about our ocean’s environment and its need for protection. We live on a blue planet, and it is up to us to advocate for and protect it.