Coral Vision's Impact Protecting Coral Reefs | Philip Heller & Juan Martinez | atlas*021

Summary

The speaker discusses their research project, Coral Vision, which aims to protect coral reefs, crucial ecosystems for marine life. They explain how coral reefs support ocean health and describe efforts to selectively breed corals that can survive the harsher conditions expected later in the 21st century. By using AI to analyze coral growth, the project helps optimize coral restoration. The speaker expresses both hope and concern for the future, encouraging young people to take action. They also mention studying algae that help maintain coral reefs by holding them together as the ocean acidifies.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The speaker is intrigued by perceptions of Gen Z and Millennials, noting that their outlook is often optimistic yet grounded in real-world challenges.
• 🌊 The speaker's research focuses on a project called Coral Vision, which addresses the decline of coral reefs—a critical component of marine ecosystems.
• 🔬 Coral Vision involves the use of AI to analyze large quantities of data and photographs, enabling the identification and study of coral health.
• 📊 Coral Vision uses plugs made of the same material as coral skeletons, designed to grow resilient coral under simulated future ocean conditions.
• 🔥 These plugs are stress-tested with increased temperatures and acidity to simulate future environmental conditions, ensuring only the strongest corals survive.
• 🏠 Coral reefs serve as a 'nursery school' for marine life, playing a crucial role in maintaining the health of the ocean and atmospheric ecosystems.
• 💡 The project aims to selectively breed corals that can withstand future oceanic changes, almost like a 'vaccine' for coral reefs.
• 🔗 Coral Vision collaborates with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biotechnology to implement and refine these techniques, although the speaker did not invent them.
• 🧠 The speaker believes that hope for the future is tied to action and innovation, emphasizing the importance of creating a sustainable world through active engagement.
• 🔍 There’s also ongoing research into a type of algae found in coral reef crevices, which helps hold the reef structure together, especially as ocean acidification weakens coral skeletons.

Q & A

What is the speaker's view on younger generations like Gen Z and early Millennials?

The speaker is half optimistic about the potential of younger generations. They believe that young people can have a positive impact on the future, particularly if they choose to engage in meaningful work. The speaker expresses optimism but acknowledges that the future is not guaranteed to be bright without action.

What project is the speaker currently working on, and how does it give them hope for the future?

The speaker is working on a project called Coral Vision, which aims to use AI to help restore coral reefs. This project gives them hope because it provides a concrete method to address a critical environmental issue, and it offers the opportunity for positive change if enough people take action.

Why are coral reefs important for ocean health and human survival?

Coral reefs are described as the 'rainforests of the ocean,' playing a crucial role in sustaining marine life, especially juvenile fish. Societies that rely on fish for wild protein need coral reefs to survive, and coral reefs also support marine ecosystems that contribute to the stability of the atmosphere.

How does Coral Vision contribute to coral reef restoration?

Coral Vision helps restore coral reefs by using AI to analyze large amounts of data, specifically photos of coral plugs. These plugs, made of the same material as coral skeletons, are planted with baby coral polyps and grown in controlled environments. AI is used to track their growth, helping to breed corals that are resilient to future ocean conditions like increased temperature and acidity.

What are coral plugs, and how do they work?

Coral plugs are small devices, about an inch wide, made from the same material as coral skeletons. Baby coral polyps are placed on these plugs, which are then grown in controlled environments. Once they have grown and shown resilience, the plugs are inserted into coral reefs to help regenerate them.

How does the speaker view the future of coral reefs and ocean health?

The speaker expresses cautious optimism, believing that while the future is not guaranteed, action can be taken to make a difference. Coral Vision is a hopeful project that seeks to develop more resilient coral to withstand the harsh conditions expected later in the 21st century.

What role does AI play in the Coral Vision project?

AI is used to analyze the large number of photographs taken of the coral plugs during their growth. It tracks individual corals' progress over time, identifying patterns that help researchers understand which conditions are most conducive to coral survival and growth.

What is the significance of the comparison between coral restoration and a vaccine or hair transplant?

The speaker's wife compares the coral restoration process to a hair transplant because the coral plugs are inserted into coral reefs in much the same way hair plugs are transplanted. The speaker also likens the process to a vaccine, as the corals are bred to be resilient and are introduced into the ecosystem to promote health and survival.

What other research is being conducted as part of Coral Vision?

Coral Vision has expanded to include the study of certain types of algae that live in coral reefs. These algae grow in crevices and secrete glue-like substances that help hold the reefs together, especially as ocean acidification weakens coral skeletons. The project uses AI to analyze the algae's growth and understand the conditions that make it thrive.

What is the speaker's call to action for the younger generation?

The speaker calls on younger generations to get involved in meaningful projects like Coral Vision, emphasizing that they can make a difference. While not everyone needs to respond, the speaker hopes enough young people will be inspired to take action to help create a better future.