It's a brand new month and that means we're introducing another great cause. This month, we're educating the world about a global icon: the Great Barrier Reef. Not only that, but we are also supporting a nonprofit that is out there on the front lines keeping an eye on the changes happening to the Great Barrier Reef (the Reef) and creating solutions for its preservation.
As a leading charity for the Reef, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation is bringing together the best minds and technologies from around the world to help solve the challenges facing the Reef so it remains a source of wonder and fascination for generations to come. When you purchase a 4ocean Great Barrier Reef Bracelet, you will not only remove one pound of trash from the ocean and coastlines but will also contribute to the research and implementation of science-backed solutions that are helping to save this natural treasure.
We caught up with Anna Marsden, Managing Director, and Andrew Simmonds, Project Manager for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation at their headquarters in Queensland, Australia to talk about some of the issues facing the Reef. What we learned is that we are running out of time to save this and all coral reefs around the world. Check out the videos we put together here.
"In the last two years, [we have lost] half of the coral cover on the world's largest reef. If we do nothing in the next thirty years, we will lose every coral reef on the planet," says Marsden.
"The Great Barrier Reef is a massive living organism, you can see this thing from space," adds Simmonds.
Home to more than 1,625 species of fish (about 10% of the entire world's fish species), 600+ types of corals, 215 bird species, 30 species of whales and dolphins, as well as 6 out of the 7 global sea turtle species, the Reef is one place that we must do everything we can to save with as little damage and impact as possible. Now is our time to make it happen!
Marsden implores, "Dig within yourself and find what you can do to play your part in saving one of the world's most amazing global icons."
To get in on the conversation about ocean plastic pollution and the Great Barrier Reef, leave a comment below or head on over to our Discover 4ocean Facebook Group. Also, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up to date on all things 4ocean!
