Reflection

Reflection

Coral reefs are hubs for aquatic life, serving as living underwater communities that exude beauty and diversity. Marine life relies on the prosperity of coral reefs for survival. Humans also depend on coral reefs for tourism, food, and medicinal purposes. Yet, humanity is currently responsible for the slow death of coral reefs. While I had learned about the severity of the situation at hand, I didn’t feel a strong urge to act upon it. I felt that coral bleaching and the death of marine life was an issue far from home–something that wouldn’t make such a noticeable impact on my life. But when I was painting and researching more on humanity’s effects on the marine world, the disconnect that separated me from the rapid death of these underwater environments had shattered. It is with shame that I realized quite late how crucial it was to save these beautiful aquatic forests, and it was with determination that I finished my piece, “Through the Looking Glass.”