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The Solana Beach Eco Rotary Club is gathering funds to sponsor a $5000 Rotary Reef wheel on the artificial reef program in Panama, a project created and spearheaded by the Newport Beach Rotary Club. Our intention is to provide $750 of our funds, $750 DDF, and partner with other area 4 clubs for a total of $5000 to sponsor this reef by March 2026. We have verbal agreement for at least $1000 from other clubs and some personal club member contributions. Club members have the opportunity to visit the Panama location and participate in eco-voluntourism and all clubs who pledge support will receive recognition.
Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. Unfortunately, coral reefs are dying and they need our help. Climate change impacts such as ocean acidification and warming waters are contributing to coral bleaching. We have less than 7% of Reef Building Coral left in Panama. If we don't act now, these keystone coral species will become extinct, leaving the integral ecosystems that are reefs to degrade and become unable to support any of the thousands of other aquatic species that rely on them for life every single day.
Coral reefs are responsible for providing shoreline protection, income, and a source of food for one fourth of the World's population. Coral reefs have an economic value estimated at over $300 billion every year and growing. These reefs do an amazing job at providing natural disaster protection. They are capable of absorbing over 90% of storm generated wave energy helping to prevent mass destruction of land and property. The marine ecosystem, of which corals are a crucial element, is responsible for over 60 percent of the oxygen produced in our atmosphere. Over one -fourth of existing marine life depends on reef systems for habitat and subsistence.
More info on the project can be found here: https://www.rotaryreefs.org/
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