EcoWatch
22
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IT IS THE FORCE
THAT IS RAPIDLY MELTING THE EARTH’S
ICE CAPS, CLAIMING THE LIVES OF ENDANGERED
SPECIES WORLDWIDE, FORCING ANIMALS FROM
THEIR NATURAL HABITATS, FUELING STRONGER
STORMS AND MORE SEVERE WEATHER SHIFTS, AND
SPREADING DISEASES IN NEW TERRITORIES. MANY
OF US KNOW IT AS GLOBAL WARMING. IN CABO
PULMO, IT IS KNOWN AS “CALENTANDO”…
–BRITTANY PARKIN, Environmental Affairs
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Global Warming and Reefs: The Facts Speak for
Themselves
BY BRITTANY PARKIN
CABO PULMO REEF, THE ONLY LIVING
HARD coral reef in North America, is one of the
most biologically diverse ocean ecosystems in
the world. The seven-mile long aquarium is a brilliant
underwater kingdom that provides sanctuary for
hundreds of species of marine animals including
birds, sea turtles, numerous species of fish,
whales, and sharks. In the 80’s, commercial
overfishing nearly destroyed the delicate balance
of the coral reef ’s ecosystem, but this
problem was largely resolved in 1995 with the
creation of the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Reserve
that, among other things, banned all fishing within
the protected area.
Today, in addition to rapid development,
the greatest threat to this essential ecosystem
is global warming. Over the past 30 years, the
steady rise of sea temperatures associated with
global warming have damaged the symbiotic relationship
between coral and algae, causing portions of the
reef to bleach and die out. The destruction of
the coral ecosystem has dire effects on both the
people living inCabo Pulmo who depend on the vitality
of the sea for sustenanceand economy as well as
the many animals that live in the canyons and
crevasses of this beautiful coral reef.
Whales in particular are suffering.
The magnificent gray whales that migrate over
5,400 miles from the Bering Sea to the tepid lagoons
of Baja California Sur every year to give birth
are having difficulty finding enough food in the
warmer waters. As a result, their migratory patterns
are changing as they extend their stay in the
north searching for food and new feeding grounds.
While this may seem rather benign, these migratory
and feeding changes raise concerns that the new
prey may not be as nutritious. During the whales’
northern migration in 1999 and 2000, marine scientists
counted 200 beached gray whales and one that appeared
emaciated.
The invasion of new diseases as
a result of warmer temperatures has claimed human
life in Cabo Pulmo as well. Maria Castro, the
Castro family matriarch who opened a popular restaurant
on the beach, La Palapa, died at the age of 54
of dengue fever in 2003. To date, her death is
the only known fatality of this disease in Cabo
Pulmo, but among the many effects of global warming
is the increase of mosquitoes carrying dengue
fever, malaria, and yellow fever to higher altitudes
and other latitudes.
Global warming is a force we can
no longer ignore.Whereas the science behind it
was once positioned as dubious by “experts”
who attributed significant spikes in global temperature
to historically normal cyclical weather patterns,
the facts now speak for themselves. As indisputable
data pours in, we are finally beginning to leave
behind a decades-long period of ignorance and
move forward into an era characterized by acceptance
and action. Significant damage has been done to
such pristine places as Cabo Pulmo, but through
continued education and action, we can work together
to slow and possibly even reverse some of the
devastating effects that global warming will have
on Baja’s magical peninsula. For some practical
ways on how you can help put this global climate
crisis to rest, visit www.BajaLife.com/EcoWatch.
And for more information on the Cabo Pulmo Marine
Reserve, please visit www.CaboPulmoPark.com.
Click here to download
a Pdf of this article Featured in Baja Life Magazine.
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