How scientists are hoping to save our coral reefs - The Climate Question podcast, BBC World Service

Summary

This video explores the ongoing efforts to restore coral reefs, with a focus on lab-grown corals as a potential solution. Experts like Stacey from Puerto Rico discuss using lab-grown corals to boost resilience against climate change, while also emphasizing the need for global emissions reductions. Despite challenges, the scientists remain optimistic, pointing to advancements in coral research and the hope that significant climate action can stabilize reefs before it's too late. The discussion reflects a balance of urgency and hope, with a long-term vision for coral reef restoration and climate change mitigation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Coral restoration is expensive, often only justifiable in areas that bring in significant revenue from tourism or scuba diving.
• 😀 Lab-grown corals may face challenges in surviving warming oceans and ocean acidification expected by 2100.
• 😀 During the last bleaching event, lab-grown corals were kept alive in tanks, acting as refuges until the water cooled down.
• 😀 Researchers in Puerto Rico are tagging and reproducing more resilient corals that survived bleaching or disease.
• 😀 Coral restoration efforts are a two-step process: coping with disturbances and working to improve resilience through selective breeding.
• 😀 Coral expert Stacey is optimistic about the future, thanks to a collective effort of researchers working on coral restoration worldwide.
• 😀 Caroline, the host, is hopeful about the future, noting that lab-grown coral research is still in its early stages and may become more effective over time.
• 😀 Global emissions reduction efforts may help tackle climate change at its core, potentially reducing the need for coral restoration projects.
• 😀 Tackling the root causes of coral decline, such as reducing emissions, is considered more logical than simply treating the symptoms.
• 😀 Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a leading scientist, expresses confidence that stabilization of coral reefs and achieving zero emissions is possible, leading to healthier reefs.
• 😀 The podcast wraps up by encouraging listeners to subscribe and follow, while acknowledging the production team for their work.

Q & A

What is the main challenge in coral reef restoration according to the script?

The main challenge in coral reef restoration is the high cost involved and the difficulty in making significant progress, especially given the ongoing environmental threats like warming oceans and acidification.

Why is coral restoration more justifiable in certain areas?

Coral restoration is more justifiable in areas where the reef brings in significant revenue, such as through tourism and scuba diving, making the investment in restoration financially viable.

What is the concern regarding lab-grown corals in the context of climate change?

The concern is that lab-grown corals may not be able to withstand the environmental changes expected by 2100, such as the warming of oceans and increased acidification, which could affect their survival.

How are researchers in Puerto Rico attempting to cope with coral bleaching?

Researchers in Puerto Rico, like Stacey, are using tanks as refuges to keep corals alive during bleaching events. They are also tagging corals that survive bleaching and disease to propagate more resilient varieties.

What is the two-step approach to making coral reefs more resilient mentioned in the script?

The two-step approach involves first protecting corals in tanks during bleaching events and then reproducing more resilient corals by collecting tissue from those that have survived disturbances.

What gives Stacey hope for the future of coral reefs despite the challenges?

Stacey remains hopeful because she is not alone in the effort; many researchers and conservationists are working together to restore and protect coral reefs, providing collective strength to the cause.

What is Caroline's perspective on lab-grown corals and their potential impact on the future?

Caroline is cautiously optimistic about lab-grown corals, acknowledging that the research is still in its early stages but believing there is hope for progress within the next few decades.

How does Caroline suggest addressing the underlying issue of coral reef decline?

Caroline suggests that the root cause—climate change—should be tackled directly through emission reduction targets, as this would reduce the need for coral restoration projects and address the problem at its source.

What is Ove Hoegh-Guldberg’s view on the future of coral reefs?

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is optimistic about the future of coral reefs, believing that once global emissions are reduced to zero, coral reefs can be stabilized, leading to a recovery where corals might even become problematic due to overgrowth.

How does the script envision a successful future for coral reefs?

The script envisions a future where coral reefs have recovered to such an extent that they begin to obstruct human infrastructure, such as shipping channels, signaling the success of restoration efforts and the stabilization of the ecosystems.