Chapter 7: Dropping Acid

   In chapter 7 we visit One Tree Island, located in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The island has a small research station working with the University of Sydney. On this trip, she meets scientist Ken Caldeira. Caldeira was studying the impact of carbon dioxide on the ocean’s pH levels. We learn that the coral reefs are highly impacted by the pH levels of the ocean and that they are currently suffering from acidification. Later, we learn that coral reefs grow over time. Recent scientific papers have argued that, by the year 2050, the Great Barrier Reef will have eroded into a ”rubble bank”. On brighter news, when she visits One Tree Island Kolbert sees beautiful marine life. She saw stingrays, turtles, sharks, fish, and surprisingly coral. I loved that even though she was on a quest to discover the bad of something, she still saw found beauty. (C)This reminded me of my Global Glimpse trip to Constanza, Dominican Republic‍. Even though we went on the trip to look for something to fix and to aid them. We still saw the beauty in the area. The gorgeous mountains and skies were the highlight of my trip.