The Moment That Mattered

From here in DC, it's day three of Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2008. With little time to blog, the highlight from Wednesday's session on coral reefs: Notable panelists, impressive powerpoints and a clear message: Corals are in serious trouble. Speakers were excellent, but this wasn't new information to many in the room considering coral reefs have been 'in trouble' every year of CHOW. After the discussion, scientists, hill staffers, and environmentalists proposed the typical questions. Ho hum. Then it happened. A bright young 12-year-old girl approached the microphone. 'I've been diving for two years', she began, and then explained why she cares about reefs. She wanted to know what she could do--and what the panelists were doing to set things right. Genuine and simply put, she asked the best question all week.