The most common question...

Everyone always wants to know what they can do that will make a difference. Here is a list, courtesy of the International Year of the Reef and its partners, that helps start to answer it.

Educate yourself about coral reefs and the creatures they support. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the fragility and value of the world’s coral reefs.

Be a wastewater crusader! Make sure that sewage from your home or town is correctly treated. Excess nutrients in wastewater can negatively impact coral reef ecosystems.

Support organizations that protect coral reefs. Many groups have coral reef programs, and your support will make a big difference.

Many more... keep reading after the jump. Everyone always wants to know what they can do that will make a difference. Here is a list, courtesy of the International Year of the Reef and its partners, that helps start to answer it.

Educate yourself about coral reefs and the creatures they support. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the fragility and value of the world’s coral reefs.

Be a wastewater crusader! Make sure that sewage from your home or town is correctly treated. Excess nutrients in wastewater can negatively impact coral reef ecosystems.

Support organizations that protect coral reefs. Many groups have coral reef programs, and your support will make a big difference.

Many more... keep reading after the jump.

Don’t use chemically enhanced pesticides and fertilizers. Although you may live thousands of miles from a coral reef ecosystem, these products end up in the ocean.

Be an informed consumer. Only buy marine fish and other reef organisms when you know they have been collected in an ecologically sound manner. Ask store managers where the organisms come from and how they were collected. For more information on how to find sustainably harvested reef fish, go to www.aquariumcouncil.org.

If you dive, don’t touch! Take only pictures and leave only bubbles. Keep your fins, gear, and hands away from the reef, as this contact can hurt you and will damage the delicate coral animals. Stay off the bottom because disturbed sediments can smother the corals.

Support reef-friendly businesses. Ask what your dive shop, boating store, tour operator, hotel and other coastal businesses are doing to save coral reefs. This is especially important in coastal areas with reefs. Let them know you are an informed consumer and care about reefs.

Recycle. This helps keep trash out of the oceans and also out of landfills where it can have an adverse impact on the water quality of our rivers and oceans.

Conserve water. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater eventually find their ways back into the oceans.

Become a volunteer monitor! Participate in community coral reef monitoring programs. If you do not live near a coast, get involved in protecting your watershed.

Report dumping or other illegal activities. Help be the eyes and ears of the reef! Your involvement can make a big difference.

Be a marine debris crusader! In addition to picking up your own trash, carry away the trash that others have left behind.

Hire local guides when visiting coral reef ecosystems. This will help you learn about local resources, and protect the future of the reef by supporting the local economy.

Don’t anchor on the reef. If you are boating near a coral reef, use mooring buoy systems when they are available.

Respect local guidelines when you visit a reef. Help keep coral reefs healthy by respecting local customs, recommendations, and regulations. Ask local authorities or your dive shop how to be a reef-friendly tourist.

Stay informed. Find out about existing and proposed laws, programs, and projects that could affect the world’s coral reefs. Many Web sites provide information about coral reefs and what you can do to become involved.

Spread the word. Remember your own excitement at learning the value and importance of coral reef ecosystems. Sharing this excitement gets everyone involved.