With early signs the Great Barrier Reef may be bleaching again, this episode tells the timely story of a scientist’s passion and determination to save some of the world’s great coral reefs from extinction.
Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is at the forefront of a bold new global plan, funded by US philanthropy, to combat the devastating effects of climate change on coral reefs.
A marine biologist and underwater adventurer, Professor Hoegh-Guldberg has been captivated by the ocean and coral reefs since childhood when he would play with real fish instead of toys in his bathtub.
He created controversy 18 years ago by predicting the death of many of the world’s coral reefs if sea temperatures continued to heat up from climate change.
At the time his projections were met with scepticism and he was accused of being alarmist. But since then Professor Hoegh-Guldberg’s overall predictions about the impact of climate change on coral reefs have proved correct.
His work in preserving coral reefs is supported by many in the international community including Sir David Attenborough, who is featured in this program.
