Coral: On the Brink

Many people have an aversion to human interventions into the natural world. However, as Corals: On the Brink explores, this mindset can overlook both the responsibilities humans already bear for the state of the world around them, and the potentially extraordinary consequences of inaction. Centred on the work of Line Bay, a research scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), and Ryan Phelan, Executive Director of the conservation organisation Revive & Restore, the short documentary details their efforts to leverage emerging technologies to engineer coral species that are more resilient in the face of dire threats posed by man-made global warming. Situated at the nexus of genetics, climate and risk management, the piece makes a compelling case that the only way to save coral ecosystems, which are invaluable to human and nonhuman animals alike, may be human intervention and innovation.

Video by Science Communication Lab

Producers: Shannon Behrman, Regina Sobel

The Advanced Coral Toolkit program supports the development and field testing of new biotechnologies that have the potential to greatly benefit coral resilience and restoration efforts. The goal is to help corals (and the communities that depend on them) flourish despite their warming, changing world through the use of biotechnology.

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