Original version

BBC World Service Australasia

The Inquiry

Documentaries

Factual

News

Getting beyond the headlines to explore the forces and ideas shaping the world

The Inquiry gets beyond the headlines to explore the trends, forces and ideas shaping the world.

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

The Inquiry: Can Coral Reefs Survive?

Can Coral Reefs Survive?

06/09/2016 GMT

BBC World Service - The Inquiry, Can Coral Reefs Survive?

As sea temperatures rise, coral reefs are in decline

We hear from scientists pioneering extraordinary techniques to help coral survive in warmer seas. They're hoping they're not already too late.

Over the past eight months almost a quarter of the Great Barrier Reef has died – according to some estimates – because of coral bleaching, which can happen when sea temperatures rise. It's not the first time coral has bleached. It happened once or twice in the early 20th century after periods of warm weather. But, since the 1980s, coral bleaching has been happening regularly. And this year's Great Barrier Reef ‘bleaching event’ is the longest in history. Some say it signals the beginning of the end for coral reefs. There are though, rays of hope. In this Inquiry you'll hear from scientists who are pioneering some extraordinary ways of trying to help coral withstand warmer seas. They're hoping they're not already too late. 

Presenter: Helena Merriman

(Photo: Australia's Great Barrier Reef, climate change is posing the most serious threat to the extensive coral reef ecosystem. Credit: Getty images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Inquiry

Can Coral Reefs Survive?

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Australasia

About BBC World Service