Surf Wood for Good

Skeletons of the Sea
Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on earth – and most are between 5,000 and 10,000 years old. Now, they’re dying.

As global temperatures rise, the sensitive polyps that make up coral colonies are under extreme stress. Just a 1°C raise for less than a month is enough to force corals to expel the photosynthesising algae that lives inside their tissue. This reveals their white skeletons; creating boneyards of bleached coral. And while bleached coral is not dead, the loss of this food source causes them to starve. If the high temperature continues, the coral begins to die.

For me, bleached coral is one of the most stark visuals of the climate crisis. If we don’t work together to tackle global warming, acidifying oceans, the fuel crisis, we risk losing all the incredibly rich, vibrant and diverse ecosystems that make our blue planet so full of life. ‘Skeletons of the Sea’ represents what is at stake if we don’t act soon. 

Lizzie Cresswell
I’m a full-time Ocean Activist and fundraiser for Surfers Against Sewage. 

Website: www.sas.org.uk/sas/lizzie-cresswell