Reflection on Chasing Coral

Reflection on Chasing Coral

One scene that really affected me in Jeff Orlowski’s Chasing Coral (2017) occurred when Zach presented the team’s time-lapse footage of the coral bleaching. I thought it was very saddening to see just how much damage the reefs experienced in such a short time. The footage was heartbreaking. Before the bleaching, the reefs were immaculate, beautiful, and lively. They were worlds of their own, almost too incredible to be real. After the bleaching, they just looked like graveyards, full of dust and debris looking like they hadn’t been touched in decades. Yet, the bleaching only occurred over a few months. I couldn’t believe the consequential effect the dying reefs had on the ocean and other living creatures.

Seeing the faces of the audience was almost as equally devastating. Their expressions consisted of sadness, shock, confusion, and astonishment. It hurt me to imagine just how they must be feeling as well, these people who’ve studied and cared about the reefs almost their whole lives. It’s horrible to watch something so beautiful, something you’re so passionate about and that you love so much, die before you. I also felt very angry during that scene. I have a difficult time thinking about how people don’t appreciate or acknowledge the importance of keeping our planet clean or when they take the natural world for granted.

What really surprised me was how incredibly complex and important coral reefs are. I never thought about what they do for other fish or living creatures. I knew they were “alive” and other fish feed off of them or live in them. I always just acknowledged that they were there, kind of like grass on land. The way the biologists would talk about the reefs made it seem as if they have critical, rational minds of their own. The networks and relationships the fish have with the reefs is so interesting because nobody has to tell these creatures what to do. It’s innate; everyday the two provide for each other, which in turn makes their environment survive. Even when a majority of the fish had gone because of the bleaching, there were still some left. Swimming around the reef that had once been so prosperous and bountiful, these remaining fish seem like they are still looking for what is already gone. I was also surprised at how many reefs the bleaching is happening to around the world.

After viewing Chasing Coral, the first two questions that came to my mind were: What can I (or anyone) do to help prevent the bleaching of coral reefs and how can more people learn about this issue? I don’t live anywhere near a coral reef, but I wonder if my everyday routine or activities contribute to coral reef bleaching in some way. I feel saddened for sure, but also curious and appreciative. It pains me to see the effects our society is having on the planet. I want to know more about these issues. I gained a new interest and appreciation for coral reefs and those who study them. Now that I am aware of this problem, I wonder if I will be more likely to notice other similar problems when I see links on social media or images from the news. Instead of disregarding these kinds of information or simply scrolling past them, I want to take the time to read such articles or watch videos to educate myself on the effects global warming has on our environment and on the different types of ecosystems.