Imagine diving into the crystal-clear waters offshore of Miami, only to find yourself surrounded by a scene of devastation. A moonscape. The water, once teeming with life, is clouded with sediment, and vibrant coral reefs are now buried beneath a layer of sand. This is the grim reality made manifest by the PortMiami dredging project that occurred from 2013 to 2015. The project resulted in catastrophic damage to adjacent coral reefs, triggering legal action by Miami Waterkeeper and co-plaintiffs. Despite the dredging company’s initial attempts to downplay the environmental impact, subsequent scientific research uncovered extensive coral mortality, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has now released a report that supports our finding that millions of corals were likely killed and at least 278 acres of the Florida Reef Tract were severely impacted.
Plastic Warriors
The Bahamas is internationally recognized for its stunning seascapes and wealth of fauna and flora. However, this paradise is polluted by plastic — the marine litter concentrations for The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean are nearly three times the global average. Kristal Ambrose is a Bahamian marine and environmental scientist, also known as “Kristal Ocean.” After sailing across the Pacific Ocean to study an oceanic “garbage patch,” she returned home to inspire the government and local communities to move toward a plastic-free Bahamas, creating a nonprofit called Bahamas Plastic Movement. Through her unique, joyful approach to education and activism, Kristal connects Bahamian youth to the ocean and empowers them to use their voice to protect the natural environment. Together, they are the Plastic Warriors.
Image © Dorlan Curtis Jr. & Jawanza Small / The Goldman Environmental Prize
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