Scientists Are Breeding Super Coral That Can Survive Climate Change

They still look beautiful, but coral reefs are dying at staggering rates — experts project that 90 percent of the world's reefs will be gone by 2050. But a growing group of scientists around the world are searching for innovative solutions to make sure that doesn't happen.

Coral reefs are among the earth’s most precious natural resources. They harbor a million species and provide food for 500 million people around the world. But warming waters, pollution and overfishing have badly damaged these precious ecosystems; roughly 50 percent of the world’s corals have been lost in just the last 30 years.

“The rates of change in our environment are far outpacing the intrinsic capacity of coral reefs to survive.” said Dr. Ruth Gates, the Director of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, where she is pioneering research that could help corals survive. “If we don’t mitigate at all, coral reefs will not be the things we’re worrying about, it will be the survival of our species.”

Dr. Gates is just one of the scientists devising innovative ways to take coral reef restoration into their own hands. Her lab has started to breed and distribute, "super coral" — the strongest breeds of coral that can thrive in warmer environments.

And in Curaçao, a small coral rich island in the Caribbean Sea, a team of scientists are finalizing a technology that could distribute fertilized coral eggs across the ocean, repopulating reefs worldwide.

VICE's Ben Anderson visited with scientists who are working around the clock to solve one of the most significant environmental problems of our time.

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[VICENews]

“If we don’t mitigate at all, coral reefs will not be the things we’re worrying about, it will be the survival of our species.”

[Mr.Turano]

I don't know if you read these, but you should contact them with the idea of a "plant a coral reef" simular to naming a star in the sky. And the people could get updates about what is happening to their reefs they planted.

[Insomniac]

If I knew my donated money went specifically to growing a reef, and I am able to visit or see or any kind of update on this said specific reef. Come take my money now.

[jonnelopez]

These scientists need around $100m to fund their research that will benefit mankind for many years. Meanwhile here in New Zealand the government is busy planning a $200m project to host the America's cup so rich people can watch sail boats race.

[KerriCz]

Thank you to these people and organizations who are stepping in where the government is failing. They are literally saving humanity

[SuikaNine]

My dad believes that the ocean can NEVER run out of fish and he said this after we came out of an aquarium. Granted he's 50+ and he's never had an education over elementary but still it's quite sad since if you think about it millions or even billions of people share the same mentality as my dad. :/

[jefkoele-wijn]

Breeding coral that's resistant to the problems is genius

[jadelee]

Rest in piece Dr. Ruth. Your work will be remembered

[Ghostsniper]

Very good video VICE! More videos like this please.

[antwainclarke]

The content is a little disappointing. Coral reefs are not disappearing only because of climate change but overfishing, disease and human pollution as well. The Caribbean has been having great success in coral gardening and creating fish sanctuaries. In fact, in Oracabessa, Jamaica, after 6 years of creating a fish sanctuary and coral gardening the fish biomass increased by 1, 700% and previously absent fish species have returned. Now that's something! Given the chance, reefs bounce back relatively quickly.

[mccama]

this research gives me hope for the future.

[bennywalker]

One of the best and most important documentaries ever made. Awareness needs to be raised before it’s too late.

[jepark]

This is beautiful, but scary at the same time. 👀

[brooksmiller]

Chasing Coral -- amazing doc on Netflix featuring Dr. Ruth Gates as well as other familiar faces from this video. It is worth the watch!

[johnbarriga]

If I become rich, I would spend 4/5 of my money into donating and saving the world, just like this.

[laurenescamilla]

This is honestly so heartbreaking to see our planet is beyond beautiful and there’s so many careless people destroying it kudos to these people for doing something about it

[slickdude]

Damn I wish i could go and help these people but i'm too stupid

[MaximusXXX]

This is amazing. I hope Bill Gates or some other super-wealthy philanthropist can donate the $100 million for this project.

[jacobsadler]

'assisted evolution'...its a synonymous term for artificial selection

[neilhowes]

Thank you RUTH and the rest of the team. My 8 children (4yrs-25yrs old) will have a better oceanic perspective of our beautiful earth.