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Life on the Rocks
Life on the Rocks: Building a Future for Coral Reefs | Juli Berwald
3 posts | 3 read | 7 to read
The story of the urgent fight to save coral reefs, and why it matters to us all Coral reefs are a microcosm of our planet: extraordinarily diverse, deeply interconnected, and full of wonders. When theyre thriving, these fairy gardens hidden beneath the oceans surface burst with color and life. They sustain bountiful ecosystems and protect vulnerable coasts. Corals themselves are evolutionary marvels that build elaborate limestone formations from their collective skeletons, broker symbiotic relationships with algae, and manufacture their own fluorescent sunblock. But corals across the planet are in the middle of an unprecedented die-off, beset by warming oceans, pollution, damage by humans, and a devastating pandemic. Juli Berwald fell in love with coral reefs as a marine biology student, entranced by their beauty and complexity. Alarmed by their peril, she traveled the world to discover how to prevent their loss. She met scientists and activists operating in emergency mode, doing everything they can think of to prevent coral reefs from disappearing forever. She was so amazed by the ingenuity of these last-ditch efforts that she joined in rescue missions, unexpected partnerships, and risky experiments, and helped rebuild reefs with rebar and zip ties. Life on the Rocks is an inspiring, lucid, meditative ode to the reefs and the undaunted scientists working to save them against almost impossible odds. As she also attempts to help her daughter in her struggle with mental illness, Berwald explores what it means to keep fighting a battle whose outcome is uncertain. She contemplates the inevitable grief of climate change and the beauty of small victories.
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Soubhiville
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While I think we all know coral reefs (and the entire environment really) are in trouble, suffering huge bleaching events and die offs due to global warming and other issues caused by climate crises, Juli brings some hope. There are several techniques and technologies that can help. Can we get the world‘s nations to focus funding there? That‘s a bigger more discouraging topic.

Woven in to the main topic Juli writes about family, mental health ⬇️

Soubhiville and COVID. I saw reviews for Spineless (which I haven‘t read yet) that didn‘t like her personal memoir stories woven in to the science. I‘d say this book is 75% coral science and 25% memoir, so be prepared for that. I thought it was great though, and liked her personal stories. 1y
Megabooks Excellent review! 1y
Eyelit I just put this on hold! 😃 1y
Bookzombie I saw her at the SA Book Festival this year and really enjoyed hearing her speak. I need to pick up her books. Great review! 1y
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MegCaldwell
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Hell yeah. I love Juli Berwald‘s books and I loved this one. Super informative and laid back and thought provoking.

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Megabooks
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This book was fascinating! Highly recommend if you like biology or environmental pop sci.

Berwald covers the impact climate and human activity has had on coral reefs. She met leaders in the field at scientific meetings and those contacts took her everywhere from the FL Keys to Indonesia. I felt a bit heartened that coral reefs are making some adaptations in the wild to increased temperatures, but it‘s not going to be enough, and we need to help.

Chelsea.Poole Love the cover art 🌊 stacked! (edited) 2y
Megabooks @Chelsea.Poole enjoy! The cover is fantastic. 🤩 2y
Cinfhen The cover is STUNNING 🤩 2y
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