the Great Barrier Reef is dead that was this message of this article I found a
this message of this article I found a
this message of this article I found a few months ago while I was browsing the
few months ago while I was browsing the
few months ago while I was browsing the internet looking for news on the last
internet looking for news on the last
internet looking for news on the last global bleaching event it was a Fed
global bleaching event it was a Fed
global bleaching event it was a Fed allistic attempt to try to raise
allistic attempt to try to raise
allistic attempt to try to raise awareness of the dire state of a coral
awareness of the dire state of a coral
awareness of the dire state of a coral reefs the Great Barrier Reef is not dead
reefs the Great Barrier Reef is not dead
reefs the Great Barrier Reef is not dead not yet at least but it is in serious
not yet at least but it is in serious
not yet at least but it is in serious trouble like all our reefs are the last
trouble like all our reefs are the last
trouble like all our reefs are the last global bleaching event triggered by the
global bleaching event triggered by the
global bleaching event triggered by the alene year 2015 has ravaged leaves all
alene year 2015 has ravaged leaves all
alene year 2015 has ravaged leaves all around the world and the Great Barrier
around the world and the Great Barrier
around the world and the Great Barrier Reef alone it has killed more than 20%
Reef alone it has killed more than 20%
Reef alone it has killed more than 20% of the corals and other places have been
of the corals and other places have been
of the corals and other places have been it even harder such as the legacy Lagoon
it even harder such as the legacy Lagoon
it even harder such as the legacy Lagoon in Japan were more than 70 percent of
in Japan were more than 70 percent of
in Japan were more than 70 percent of the corals died reports from all over
the corals died reports from all over
the corals died reports from all over the world paid a very similar picture
the world paid a very similar picture
the world paid a very similar picture now the problem is this was not a
now the problem is this was not a
now the problem is this was not a singular event this was not a one-time
singular event this was not a one-time
singular event this was not a one-time thing we now expect 99% of the coral
thing we now expect 99% of the coral
thing we now expect 99% of the coral reefs to experience annual bleachy
reefs to experience annual bleachy
reefs to experience annual bleachy before the end of the century what we’re
before the end of the century what we’re
before the end of the century what we’re facing is the loss of one of the most
facing is the loss of one of the most
facing is the loss of one of the most productive and important ecosystems of
productive and important ecosystems of
productive and important ecosystems of our planet but also one of the most
our planet but also one of the most
our planet but also one of the most beautiful ones as you can see from the
beautiful ones as you can see from the
beautiful ones as you can see from the stunning photograph taken by my
stunning photograph taken by my
stunning photograph taken by my colleague and truly gifted photographer
colleague and truly gifted photographer
colleague and truly gifted photographer tiny Sinkler from the reef ecology lab
tiny Sinkler from the reef ecology lab
tiny Sinkler from the reef ecology lab period coast but you see curls are not
period coast but you see curls are not
period coast but you see curls are not just pretty they sustain the livelihood
just pretty they sustain the livelihood
just pretty they sustain the livelihood of hundreds of millions of people around
of hundreds of millions of people around
of hundreds of millions of people around the world they are fishing grounds and
the world they are fishing grounds and
the world they are fishing grounds and nurseries form an economically important
nurseries form an economically important
nurseries form an economically important fish species there are the basis of the
fish species there are the basis of the
fish species there are the basis of the tourist industry and a major source of
tourist industry and a major source of
tourist industry and a major source of income for many countries they even
income for many countries they even
income for many countries they even provide services most people wouldn’t
provide services most people wouldn’t
provide services most people wouldn’t even think about they protect our
even think about they protect our
even think about they protect our shorelines from storm and erosion by
shorelines from storm and erosion by
shorelines from storm and erosion by breaking the waves before they hit the
breaking the waves before they hit the
breaking the waves before they hit the shore there are even sources of new
shore there are even sources of new
shore there are even sources of new medicines against cancer and other
medicines against cancer and other
medicines against cancer and other diseases and although they only cover
diseases and although they only cover
diseases and although they only cover about 0.1% of the ocean floor
about 0.1% of the ocean floor
about 0.1% of the ocean floor they support more than 25%
they support more than 25%
they support more than 25% of all marine fish and a myriad of
of all marine fish and a myriad of
of all marine fish and a myriad of invertebrate species but what are corals
invertebrate species but what are corals
invertebrate species but what are corals I mean I get asked this quite often I
I mean I get asked this quite often I
I mean I get asked this quite often I need people who think they’re plants
need people who think they’re plants
need people who think they’re plants some even think they’re just rocks but
some even think they’re just rocks but
some even think they’re just rocks but no they’re not they’re animals and they
no they’re not they’re animals and they
no they’re not they’re animals and they belong to a group we science it’s called
belong to a group we science it’s called
belong to a group we science it’s called cnidarians they’re named after these
cnidarians they’re named after these
cnidarians they’re named after these thinking cells that many of them use to
thinking cells that many of them use to
thinking cells that many of them use to catch their prey
catch their prey
catch their prey and I presume some of you might have
and I presume some of you might have
and I presume some of you might have made some first-hand experience during
made some first-hand experience during
made some first-hand experience during an unfortunate encounter with jellyfish
an unfortunate encounter with jellyfish
an unfortunate encounter with jellyfish now many corals actually live in
now many corals actually live in
now many corals actually live in colonies as you can see here in this
colonies as you can see here in this
colonies as you can see here in this wonderful picture taken by my colleague
wonderful picture taken by my colleague
wonderful picture taken by my colleague Eric Tom you take from the psaltery
Eric Tom you take from the psaltery
Eric Tom you take from the psaltery scientific and Monico these colonies can
scientific and Monico these colonies can
scientific and Monico these colonies can have hundreds and even thousands of
have hundreds and even thousands of
have hundreds and even thousands of polyps and these polyps look a bit like
polyps and these polyps look a bit like
polyps and these polyps look a bit like upside down jellyfish and like jellyfish
upside down jellyfish and like jellyfish
upside down jellyfish and like jellyfish they use the tentacles to grab food from
they use the tentacles to grab food from
they use the tentacles to grab food from the surrounding water
the surrounding water
the surrounding water but unlike jellyfish and many other
but unlike jellyfish and many other
but unlike jellyfish and many other cnidarians such as an enemies corals
cnidarians such as an enemies corals
cnidarians such as an enemies corals actually make a skeleton while the
actually make a skeleton while the
actually make a skeleton while the colony grows these polyps keep adding
colony grows these polyps keep adding
colony grows these polyps keep adding layer by layer of limestone building the
layer by layer of limestone building the
layer by layer of limestone building the structure of the reefs structures so big
structure of the reefs structures so big
structure of the reefs structures so big that you can even see them from space
that you can even see them from space
that you can even see them from space this is the case with a Great Barrier
this is the case with a Great Barrier
this is the case with a Great Barrier Reef which by the way is also the
Reef which by the way is also the
Reef which by the way is also the largest structure on earth built by
largest structure on earth built by
largest structure on earth built by living organisms and these structures
living organisms and these structures
living organisms and these structures are then the home for all the other
are then the home for all the other
are then the home for all the other animals the fish the perhaps the
animals the fish the perhaps the
animals the fish the perhaps the mollusks and all the creatures that live
mollusks and all the creatures that live
mollusks and all the creatures that live on a reef but why do corals bleach and
on a reef but why do corals bleach and
on a reef but why do corals bleach and what is bleaching anyways well to
what is bleaching anyways well to
what is bleaching anyways well to understand that we first need to know
understand that we first need to know
understand that we first need to know what makes curled so special you see for
what makes curled so special you see for
what makes curled so special you see for most people the crystal-clear waters of
most people the crystal-clear waters of
most people the crystal-clear waters of the tropics are the epitome of pristine
the tropics are the epitome of pristine
the tropics are the epitome of pristine oceans we all know these pictures in the
oceans we all know these pictures in the
oceans we all know these pictures in the travel agencies these tropical island
travel agencies these tropical island
travel agencies these tropical island paradise is surrounded by clear blue
paradise is surrounded by clear blue
paradise is surrounded by clear blue water but what most people have realized
water but what most people have realized
water but what most people have realized is that this crystal-clear water is
is that this crystal-clear water is
is that this crystal-clear water is actually an ocean desert it is so clear
actually an ocean desert it is so clear
actually an ocean desert it is so clear because it hardly contains any nutrients
because it hardly contains any nutrients
because it hardly contains any nutrients and cannot sustain a lot of life
and cannot sustain a lot of life
and cannot sustain a lot of life so how come corals are able to build one
so how come corals are able to build one
so how come corals are able to build one of the most biodiverse
of the most biodiverse
of the most biodiverse ecosystems
ecosystems
ecosystems in such an environment now here’s a fun
in such an environment now here’s a fun
in such an environment now here’s a fun fact one of the most famous scientists
fact one of the most famous scientists
fact one of the most famous scientists to ponder about this question was
to ponder about this question was
to ponder about this question was Charles Darwin during his famous travel
Charles Darwin during his famous travel
Charles Darwin during his famous travel on the research ship Beagle he traveled
on the research ship Beagle he traveled
on the research ship Beagle he traveled the world and studied the different
the world and studied the different
the world and studied the different types of weaves the fringing reefs and
types of weaves the fringing reefs and
types of weaves the fringing reefs and Barrier Reef’s and the tall’s and he
Barrier Reef’s and the tall’s and he
Barrier Reef’s and the tall’s and he wanted to understand how corals were
wanted to understand how corals were
wanted to understand how corals were able to create these structures he even
able to create these structures he even
able to create these structures he even wrote one of his most famous scientific
wrote one of his most famous scientific
wrote one of his most famous scientific monographs on the topic the structure
monographs on the topic the structure
monographs on the topic the structure and distribution of coral reefs
and distribution of coral reefs
and distribution of coral reefs he literally marveled at how these tiny
he literally marveled at how these tiny
he literally marveled at how these tiny polyps could build structures that
polyps could build structures that
polyps could build structures that defied the forces of the oceans forces
defied the forces of the oceans forces
defied the forces of the oceans forces that would turn rock to rubble yet these
that would turn rock to rubble yet these
that would turn rock to rubble yet these organisms were just diligently grow and
organisms were just diligently grow and
organisms were just diligently grow and grow and build these structures in an
grow and build these structures in an
grow and build these structures in an environment that should not support it
environment that should not support it
environment that should not support it how is this possible
how is this possible
how is this possible well they literally carry the secret
well they literally carry the secret
well they literally carry the secret inside of them corals have an
inside of them corals have an
inside of them corals have an association with photosynthetic algae
association with photosynthetic algae
association with photosynthetic algae that live inside the tissues you can see
that live inside the tissues you can see
that live inside the tissues you can see this here in this photo in bright red
this here in this photo in bright red
this here in this photo in bright red the red color comes from the
the red color comes from the
the red color comes from the fluorescence of the chlorophyll before
fluorescence of the chlorophyll before
fluorescence of the chlorophyll before the synthetic pigment these algae scary
the synthetic pigment these algae scary
the synthetic pigment these algae scary now these allergies can use sunlight to
now these allergies can use sunlight to
now these allergies can use sunlight to produce energy which carbs that they
produce energy which carbs that they
produce energy which carbs that they give to the coral and in return the
give to the coral and in return the
give to the coral and in return the coral provides them with shelter and
coral provides them with shelter and
coral provides them with shelter and nutrients but this is of course not all
nutrients but this is of course not all
nutrients but this is of course not all there is to the story after all we know
there is to the story after all we know
there is to the story after all we know that carps alone don’t make for a
that carps alone don’t make for a
that carps alone don’t make for a healthy diet now the trick is that this
healthy diet now the trick is that this
healthy diet now the trick is that this association also allows the coral to
association also allows the coral to
association also allows the coral to efficiently recycle its waste products
efficiently recycle its waste products
efficiently recycle its waste products it basically uses the waste as a
it basically uses the waste as a
it basically uses the waste as a fertilizer for the algae the algae
fertilizer for the algae the algae
fertilizer for the algae the algae recycles it it gives it back in form of
recycles it it gives it back in form of
recycles it it gives it back in form of amino acids and other nutrients this is
amino acids and other nutrients this is
amino acids and other nutrients this is what makes corals so nutrient efficient
what makes corals so nutrient efficient
what makes corals so nutrient efficient and allows them to actually thrive in
and allows them to actually thrive in
and allows them to actually thrive in this environment ironically it is also
this environment ironically it is also
this environment ironically it is also their Achilles heel as it’s often the
their Achilles heel as it’s often the
their Achilles heel as it’s often the case with very intimate relationships it
case with very intimate relationships it
case with very intimate relationships it they can break down if put under stress
they can break down if put under stress
they can break down if put under stress and for reasons we don’t yet fully
and for reasons we don’t yet fully
and for reasons we don’t yet fully understand the relationship between
understand the relationship between
understand the relationship between corals and their allergies is quite
corals and their allergies is quite
corals and their allergies is quite sensitive high temperatures low
sensitive high temperatures low
sensitive high temperatures low temperatures too much light pollution
temperatures too much light pollution
temperatures too much light pollution all these things can trigger the
all these things can trigger the
all these things can trigger the breakdown of this association and in
breakdown of this association and in
breakdown of this association and in response the Carl’s expel the symbols
response the Carl’s expel the symbols
response the Carl’s expel the symbols and their tissue turns ghostly white as
and their tissue turns ghostly white as
and their tissue turns ghostly white as you can see here in this amazing picture
you can see here in this amazing picture
you can see here in this amazing picture from taani showing actually an anomaly
from taani showing actually an anomaly
from taani showing actually an anomaly but that’s okay an M&E are close
but that’s okay an M&E are close
but that’s okay an M&E are close relatives of corals and they have the
relatives of corals and they have the
relatives of corals and they have the same symbols and as you can see they
same symbols and as you can see they
same symbols and as you can see they also bleach now bleaching itself is not
also bleach now bleaching itself is not
also bleach now bleaching itself is not unnatural and it’s also not a big deal
unnatural and it’s also not a big deal
unnatural and it’s also not a big deal every colony bleaches or if you call any
every colony bleaches or if you call any
every colony bleaches or if you call any bleach it starts to become a problem
bleach it starts to become a problem
bleach it starts to become a problem however if you have an entire reef
however if you have an entire reef
however if you have an entire reef bleach like you can see in this picture
bleach like you can see in this picture
bleach like you can see in this picture taking during one of the bleaching
taking during one of the bleaching
taking during one of the bleaching service and the Great Barrier Reef in
service and the Great Barrier Reef in
service and the Great Barrier Reef in this state the coral basically lost its
this state the coral basically lost its
this state the coral basically lost its main source of food they literally
main source of food they literally
main source of food they literally starve they can’t survive for some time
starve they can’t survive for some time
starve they can’t survive for some time depending on the energy reserves they
depending on the energy reserves they
depending on the energy reserves they have but if the stress is not alleviated
have but if the stress is not alleviated
have but if the stress is not alleviated if the temperatures don’t go back down
if the temperatures don’t go back down
if the temperatures don’t go back down and allow them to take up new symbols
and allow them to take up new symbols
and allow them to take up new symbols they eventually die their skeletons get
they eventually die their skeletons get
they eventually die their skeletons get overgrown by algae and the ecosystem is
overgrown by algae and the ecosystem is
overgrown by algae and the ecosystem is dead now over time such a dead reef can
dead now over time such a dead reef can
dead now over time such a dead reef can of course be restored coral larvae from
of course be restored coral larvae from
of course be restored coral larvae from other reefs can come settle build new
other reefs can come settle build new
other reefs can come settle build new colonies but this takes time a lot of it
colonies but this takes time a lot of it
colonies but this takes time a lot of it because curls are pretty slow growers
because curls are pretty slow growers
because curls are pretty slow growers the fastest species grow a few
the fastest species grow a few
the fastest species grow a few centimeters per year but many of the big
centimeters per year but many of the big
centimeters per year but many of the big massive colonies just grow a few
massive colonies just grow a few
massive colonies just grow a few millimeters so you can imagine that it
millimeters so you can imagine that it
millimeters so you can imagine that it can take decades and hundreds of years
can take decades and hundreds of years
can take decades and hundreds of years to restore such a reef now imagine we’re
to restore such a reef now imagine we’re
to restore such a reef now imagine we’re not talking about just a reef bleaching
not talking about just a reef bleaching
not talking about just a reef bleaching but many maybe even most reefs in an
but many maybe even most reefs in an
but many maybe even most reefs in an entire region or as is the case with a
entire region or as is the case with a
entire region or as is the case with a global bleaching event all over the
global bleaching event all over the
global bleaching event all over the world
world
world we basically disable the intrinsic
we basically disable the intrinsic
we basically disable the intrinsic healing mechanisms of these ecosystems
healing mechanisms of these ecosystems
healing mechanisms of these ecosystems so given our current prognosis of the
so given our current prognosis of the
so given our current prognosis of the increase in frequency and severity of
increase in frequency and severity of
increase in frequency and severity of such mass bleaching events it doesn’t
such mass bleaching events it doesn’t
such mass bleaching events it doesn’t look good for corals or what should we
look good for corals or what should we
look good for corals or what should we do should we give up I don’t think so
do should we give up I don’t think so
do should we give up I don’t think so I think it is now more important than
I think it is now more important than
I think it is now more important than ever to do everything we can to put in
ever to do everything we can to put in
ever to do everything we can to put in all the effort to save these ecosystems
all the effort to save these ecosystems
all the effort to save these ecosystems and there’s even a sliver of hope
and there’s even a sliver of hope
and there’s even a sliver of hope actually several sometimes you find
actually several sometimes you find
actually several sometimes you find these odd survivors these colonies that
these odd survivors these colonies that
these odd survivors these colonies that despite the demise of their fellows
despite the demise of their fellows
despite the demise of their fellows somehow appeared to be less affected
somehow appeared to be less affected
somehow appeared to be less affected like this guy here
like this guy here
like this guy here captured by my colleague rekt order from
captured by my colleague rekt order from
captured by my colleague rekt order from the Australian Institute were in science
the Australian Institute were in science
the Australian Institute were in science during one of his service we even know
during one of his service we even know
during one of his service we even know entire regions where corals have
entire regions where corals have
entire regions where corals have naturally adapted to high temperature
naturally adapted to high temperature
naturally adapted to high temperature such as right here and the red sea the
such as right here and the red sea the
such as right here and the red sea the red sea is one of the hottest bodies of
red sea is one of the hottest bodies of
red sea is one of the hottest bodies of water yet corals thrive under these
water yet corals thrive under these
water yet corals thrive under these conditions red sea corals have learned
conditions red sea corals have learned
conditions red sea corals have learned to cope with high temperature as you can
to cope with high temperature as you can
to cope with high temperature as you can see here in the stunning picture from
see here in the stunning picture from
see here in the stunning picture from tiny showing our house reef ship nazar
tiny showing our house reef ship nazar
tiny showing our house reef ship nazar just off coast for as researchers these
just off coast for as researchers these
just off coast for as researchers these are unique opportunities these places
are unique opportunities these places
are unique opportunities these places allow us to study how corals can adapt
allow us to study how corals can adapt
allow us to study how corals can adapt to such conditions and to maybe
to such conditions and to maybe
to such conditions and to maybe understand if corals and other places
understand if corals and other places
understand if corals and other places could adapt in a similar way to climate
could adapt in a similar way to climate
could adapt in a similar way to climate change it doesn’t mean that red sea
change it doesn’t mean that red sea
change it doesn’t mean that red sea corals are immune that they don’t bleach
corals are immune that they don’t bleach
corals are immune that they don’t bleach because they do as you can see here in
because they do as you can see here in
because they do as you can see here in the sad picture taken by PhD students
the sad picture taken by PhD students
the sad picture taken by PhD students averted from the reef genomics library
averted from the reef genomics library
averted from the reef genomics library coast was taken in 2015 during the
coast was taken in 2015 during the
coast was taken in 2015 during the global bleaching event still red sea
global bleaching event still red sea
global bleaching event still red sea curls came today already withstand
curls came today already withstand
curls came today already withstand temperatures that are pretty close to
temperatures that are pretty close to
temperatures that are pretty close to what we would call the worst case
what we would call the worst case
what we would call the worst case scenario for the end of the century in
scenario for the end of the century in
scenario for the end of the century in other places like the Great Barrier Reef
other places like the Great Barrier Reef
other places like the Great Barrier Reef or the Caribbean so for us researchers
or the Caribbean so for us researchers
or the Caribbean so for us researchers these are indeed unique opportunities
these are indeed unique opportunities
these are indeed unique opportunities but more importantly the fact that red
but more importantly the fact that red
but more importantly the fact that red sea corals can deal with these
sea corals can deal with these
sea corals can deal with these temperatures there’s two very important
temperatures there’s two very important
temperatures there’s two very important things first it’s generally possible and
things first it’s generally possible and
things first it’s generally possible and second adaptations to high temperatures
second adaptations to high temperatures
second adaptations to high temperatures already exist
already exist
already exist meaning that places like the Red Sea
meaning that places like the Red Sea
meaning that places like the Red Sea could act as a source for such
could act as a source for such
could act as a source for such adaptation that could be shared with
adaptation that could be shared with
adaptation that could be shared with corals from other places
corals from other places
corals from other places this what mean these other curls would
this what mean these other curls would
this what mean these other curls would not have to revolve these adaptations
not have to revolve these adaptations
not have to revolve these adaptations from scratch a process that could take
from scratch a process that could take
from scratch a process that could take hundreds or maybe thousands of years
hundreds or maybe thousands of years
hundreds or maybe thousands of years this is what we are studying at the
this is what we are studying at the
this is what we are studying at the moment identifying this adaptation so we
moment identifying this adaptation so we
moment identifying this adaptation so we can go out there and see if they’re
can go out there and see if they’re
can go out there and see if they’re really present if maybe these odd
really present if maybe these odd
really present if maybe these odd survivors like the one I just showed you
survivors like the one I just showed you
survivors like the one I just showed you survive because they already carry these
survive because they already carry these
survive because they already carry these adaptations so the future of coral reef
adaptations so the future of coral reef
adaptations so the future of coral reef research at the moment I would say is
research at the moment I would say is
research at the moment I would say is both exciting and sad exciting because
both exciting and sad exciting because
both exciting and sad exciting because we can now ask all these questions the
we can now ask all these questions the
we can now ask all these questions the technological advances allow us to now
technological advances allow us to now
technological advances allow us to now sequence entire genomes in many days and
sequence entire genomes in many days and
sequence entire genomes in many days and we have the computational power to
we have the computational power to
we have the computational power to actually compare these sequences do this
actually compare these sequences do this
actually compare these sequences do this analysis in order to hopefully identify
analysis in order to hopefully identify
analysis in order to hopefully identify the adaptations so that we can go out
the adaptations so that we can go out
the adaptations so that we can go out there and see if they’re present but at
there and see if they’re present but at
there and see if they’re present but at the same time we don’t know if this will
the same time we don’t know if this will
the same time we don’t know if this will be enough to help corals and what if we
be enough to help corals and what if we
be enough to help corals and what if we find out that they cannot be shared or
find out that they cannot be shared or
find out that they cannot be shared or that it would take too long
that it would take too long
that it would take too long not allowing currents from other regions
not allowing currents from other regions
not allowing currents from other regions to actually keep pace with climate
to actually keep pace with climate
to actually keep pace with climate change which is happening at
change which is happening at
change which is happening at unprecedented speeds what should we do
unprecedented speeds what should we do
unprecedented speeds what should we do should we think about more drastic
should we think about more drastic
should we think about more drastic measures like taking corals from the Red
measures like taking corals from the Red
measures like taking corals from the Red Sea and bringing them to the world to
Sea and bringing them to the world to
Sea and bringing them to the world to other places should we maybe think about
other places should we maybe think about
other places should we maybe think about breeding our own temperature resilient
breeding our own temperature resilient
breeding our own temperature resilient corals or more drastic measures like
corals or more drastic measures like
corals or more drastic measures like making our own genetically modified
making our own genetically modified
making our own genetically modified Franken corals how far should we go how
Franken corals how far should we go how
Franken corals how far should we go how far can we go these are all questions
far can we go these are all questions
far can we go these are all questions that we have to ask ourselves and
that we have to ask ourselves and
that we have to ask ourselves and decisions that we might have to make in
decisions that we might have to make in
decisions that we might have to make in the near future so what we need now more
the near future so what we need now more
the near future so what we need now more than anything I would say is time time
than anything I would say is time time
than anything I would say is time time for the calls so they can do their thing
for the calls so they can do their thing
for the calls so they can do their thing so they can naturally adapt time for us
so they can naturally adapt time for us
so they can naturally adapt time for us to better understand them to see how we
to better understand them to see how we
to better understand them to see how we can help them best but also time to come
can help them best but also time to come
can help them best but also time to come to the right conclusion so that
to the right conclusion so that
to the right conclusion so that we get to the point we can might the
we get to the point we can might the
we get to the point we can might the right the wise choice you see all of
right the wise choice you see all of
right the wise choice you see all of these measures can have just the effects
these measures can have just the effects
these measures can have just the effects taken Acorah from the Red Sea and
taken Acorah from the Red Sea and
taken Acorah from the Red Sea and introducing in an environment where it
introducing in an environment where it
introducing in an environment where it doesn’t belong can have fatal
doesn’t belong can have fatal
doesn’t belong can have fatal consequences for this ecosystem making a
consequences for this ecosystem making a
consequences for this ecosystem making a temperature resilient coral could give
temperature resilient coral could give
temperature resilient coral could give us yes a coral that doesn’t bleach when
us yes a coral that doesn’t bleach when
us yes a coral that doesn’t bleach when the temperature rises but maybe is more
the temperature rises but maybe is more
the temperature rises but maybe is more sensitive to other factors or to local
sensitive to other factors or to local
sensitive to other factors or to local diseases after all there’s no free lunch
diseases after all there’s no free lunch
diseases after all there’s no free lunch everything comes at a cost and the
everything comes at a cost and the
everything comes at a cost and the trade-offs aren’t predictable so yes we
trade-offs aren’t predictable so yes we
trade-offs aren’t predictable so yes we need time but time is the one thing we
need time but time is the one thing we
need time but time is the one thing we scientists cannot give them but you can
scientists cannot give them but you can
scientists cannot give them but you can or better said we all can by becoming a
or better said we all can by becoming a
or better said we all can by becoming a bit more environmentally friendly by
bit more environmentally friendly by
bit more environmentally friendly by actively trying to reduce our carbon
actively trying to reduce our carbon
actively trying to reduce our carbon footprint by making choices for
footprint by making choices for
footprint by making choices for sustainable alternatives whenever
sustainable alternatives whenever
sustainable alternatives whenever possible and by supporting and maybe
possible and by supporting and maybe
possible and by supporting and maybe even demanding policies that protect our
even demanding policies that protect our
even demanding policies that protect our environment I truly believe that this is
environment I truly believe that this is
environment I truly believe that this is a chance for everybody to contribute and
a chance for everybody to contribute and
a chance for everybody to contribute and to make a difference in order to help
to make a difference in order to help
to make a difference in order to help and preserve this ecosystem so that our
and preserve this ecosystem so that our
and preserve this ecosystem so that our children’s children can benefit from
children’s children can benefit from
children’s children can benefit from them like we do so that they can
them like we do so that they can
them like we do so that they can actually go out there and witness the
actually go out there and witness the
actually go out there and witness the beauty with their own eyes instead of
beauty with their own eyes instead of
beauty with their own eyes instead of having to learn about them from books or
having to learn about them from books or
having to learn about them from books or movies
movies
movies what TEDx talks for that matter after
what TEDx talks for that matter after
what TEDx talks for that matter after all it’s not about saving whorls at
all it’s not about saving whorls at
all it’s not about saving whorls at least not only it’s about us it’s about
least not only it’s about us it’s about
least not only it’s about us it’s about us and about preserving a sustainable
us and about preserving a sustainable
us and about preserving a sustainable functional earth for future generations
functional earth for future generations
functional earth for future generations I know that many of you I guess even
I know that many of you I guess even
I know that many of you I guess even most will think that whatever you can do
most will think that whatever you can do
most will think that whatever you can do is insignificant in light of the sheer
is insignificant in light of the sheer
is insignificant in light of the sheer scale of the problem that we’re facing I
scale of the problem that we’re facing I
scale of the problem that we’re facing I mean what can you do what contribution
mean what can you do what contribution
mean what can you do what contribution can you make to fight climate change but
can you make to fight climate change but
can you make to fight climate change but you know what
you know what
you know what just like every tiny polyp contributes
just like every tiny polyp contributes
just like every tiny polyp contributes only a small part to the bigger hole in
only a small part to the bigger hole in
only a small part to the bigger hole in their Sun they
their Sun they
their Sun they one of the wonders of the world they
one of the wonders of the world they
one of the wonders of the world they truly make an impact and so can you
truly make an impact and so can you
truly make an impact and so can you thank you very much
thank you very much
thank you very much [Applause]
”
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