One of the many devastating effects of climate change include the outcome of many coral reef populations. Bleaching initiates the death of coral and visually robs them of their vibrant colors. The withdrawal of these colors gives artists an opportunity to communicate the distressing escalation. Courtney Mattison displays the massive decline of reefs, expected to reduce up to 90% within the next couple of decades. She created a wall installation showing coral at a healthy state in the center and showing the aggravation of coral populations through the fade of color into white. Mattison presents the beautiful components of our earth at a massive decline, setting a compelling and melancholy tone.
Coral reefs historically have had the ability to minimize bleaching as a response to thermal, hypoxia, and acidification stresses without mortalities. The increase in these obstacles have escalated to extreme measures that have eliminated some coral populations. Events of bleaching within just the past few years is an illustration that the struggle reefs are facing is only worsening. Destruction has been evident throughout the world, especially atoll reefs and coastlines. Anoxia rates have rapidly scattered, specifying dead zones on coastlines from eutrophication. Bleaching events take place both continuously and periodically, and it will not cease to have an increasing negative impact. We cannot recline and choose to act when our coastlines stand unprotected.
