Scientists Are Breeding Super Coral That Can Survive Climate Change

Summary

The video script addresses the alarming decline of the world's coral reefs, with 50% lost in the last 30 years due to warming waters, pollution, and overfishing. Reef ecologist Eric Hochberg and his team are conducting extensive research, using advanced NASA sensors and photography to understand and prevent further coral loss. The script also highlights the innovative efforts of Richard Vivaz's '50 Reefs' project, which uses virtual reality to raise awareness and engage local communities in conservation. Additionally, marine biologists are exploring 'assisted evolution' to create 'super corals' that can withstand environmental stress. The urgency of the situation is emphasized, with a call to action for global efforts to save these critical underwater ecosystems.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Coral reefs are experiencing a devastating decline, with 50% loss in the past 30 years due to warming waters, pollution, and overfishing.
• 🔬 Reef ecologist Eric Hochberg and his team are conducting global research to understand why corals are dying by photographing major reefs and using NASA sensors.
• 🌍 The project aims to map more of the world's coral reefs than ever before, providing a comprehensive dataset for the first time.
• 🌡️ Coral bleaching, caused by environmental stress, has led to significant coral loss, including a 30% loss at the Great Barrier Reef during a 2014 event.
• 🤝 Richard Vivaz's 50 Reefs project collaborates with Google to document the 50 most protectable reefs using 360-degree virtual reality cameras for awareness and scientific study.
• 🧬 Assisted evolution is being explored as a method to create 'super corals' that can withstand environmental stress, potentially saving coral reefs from extinction.
• 🌱 Scientists are working on scalable solutions to repopulate reefs, including the collection and fertilization of coral larvae to increase reproductive success rates.
• 🌐 The project's success could set a blueprint for global efforts to restore coral reefs, emphasizing the urgency of immediate action over planning.
• 💡 The importance of local community involvement and support is highlighted as crucial for the protection and preservation of coral reefs.
• 🌱 The project's ultimate goal is to create a network that can quickly mobilize scientific knowledge and practical action to restore and protect coral reefs on a global scale.

Q & A

What is the current rate of coral loss worldwide?

Coral loss is happening at a staggering rate, with 50 percent of the world's corals lost in the last 30 years.

What are the main factors contributing to the death of corals?

The main factors contributing to coral death include warming waters, pollution, and overfishing.

Who is Eric Hochberg and what is his team's goal?

Eric Hochberg is a reef ecologist whose team aims to understand why corals are dying by photographing major reefs around the world and using data from NASA sensors.

What technology is being used to gather information about coral reefs?

A state-of-the-art NASA sensor attached to the team's plane is being used to gather information about coral reefs.

What is the significance of the coral bleaching phenomenon?

Coral bleaching is significant because it occurs when corals lose their algae and turn white due to stress from extreme environmental changes, leading to widespread coral death.

What is the '50 Reefs' project and how does it aim to help coral reefs?

The '50 Reefs' project, led by Richard Vaza, aims to identify and document the 50 most protectable reefs around the world using a 360-degree virtual reality camera to raise awareness and promote conservation.

How does the 360-degree virtual reality camera contribute to the study of coral reefs?

The camera captures remarkably detailed footage that is detailed enough for scientific study and has an algorithm that can automatically analyze the images, significantly speeding up research processes.

What is the concept of 'assisted evolution' in the context of coral conservation?

Assisted evolution is a process where corals are bred in the lab to identify the strongest species, which are then placed amongst reefs to help them survive and potentially recover from damage.

What is the role of local communities in coral reef conservation according to the script?

Local communities play a crucial role in coral reef conservation, as gaining their support and involvement is essential for the protection and restoration of these ecosystems.

What is the potential impact of the loss of coral reefs on the world's ecosystems?

The loss of coral reefs could lead to a world without food in certain areas, loss of coastal security, and a threat to the survival of many species, including those that humans consume.

How does the script suggest we can solve the problem of coral reef destruction?

The script suggests that understanding the scale and cause of destruction, selecting or breeding the most resilient coral species, and spreading them on a massive scale could solve the problem of coral reef destruction.