The Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs in the Maldives
In The Impact of Climate Change on Coral Reefs in the Maldives, host Simon Reeve goes snorkeling with a marine biologist from the Maldives, where he discovers a troubling pattern affecting the reef. This video is excerpted from BBC's Incredible Journeys With Simon Reeve, a series that highlights one journalist’s travels across the globe and the diverse cultures and peoples he meets along the way.
Lesson Express
Q: Why are changing ocean temperatures so dangerous for coral reefs?
A: The coral will die if the ocean water heats up even one degree and stays at the temperature for a while.
Q: Why are coral reefs so important to ocean life?
A: Coral reefs make up only 1% of the world’s marine environment, but they are the natural habitat of 25% of marine species. The biodiversity of the coral reefs is like the rainforests on land; they keep the rest of the ecosystem in balance.
Q: How does climate change threaten the country of the Maldives?
A: As the oceans warm up, the water levels rise. This could potentially cause massive flooding on the islands.
More Like This
In The Mysterious Nautilus, narrator Sir David Attenborough highlights the nautilus, a fascinating marine creature that spends its days hiding over 1,300 feet (400 meters) deep in the ocean. Unlike its close relatives, the squid and octopus, which have lost their shells over time, the nautilus retains its protective spiral shell. This shell contains gas-filled chambers that control its buoyancy. Propelling itself backward using a water jet, the nautilus must rely on chemical sensors in its small tentacles to detect both prey and predators. One of its main predators is the octopus, a master of disguise. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In Deep Breath: The Bajau’s Incredible Diving Adventures, Simon explores the world of the Bajau, a community of sea nomads who live in homes built on stilts above the coral reefs. He meets Bari, a skilled diver who shows him the underwater world of the coral triangle. Bari dives 50 to 65 feet (15 to 20 meters) deep on a single breath, and Simon learns the Bajau have evolved to hold more oxygen in their blood, allowing them to stay underwater for long periods of time! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Protecting Raja Ampat’s Ecosystem, Simon explores Raja Ampat, a marine paradise with over 2,000 fish species and coral reefs. While exploring, marine rangers board Simon’s boat to check permits and ensure no one is breaking the law in this protected area. The rangers share their vital work, like stopping illegal fishing of sea turtles and baby sharks which harms the ecosystem. New laws are a game-changer, saving Raja Ampat from the devastation caused by overfishing just a few decades ago. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Why Acidic Seas Spell Trouble, geologist Iain Stewart explores how global warming is shaking up life in the ocean. In Palau, an ocean scientist shares the story of millions of golden jellyfish that vanished when the water’s temperature rose by a few degrees. Plus, learn how rising carbon dioxide is making the ocean more acidic, threatening coral reefs and the marine life that depends on them. The ocean is changing fast, and scientists are racing to understand what’s next for our planet's underwater world! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth: The Power of the Planet, a documentary series in which Dr. Iain Stewart discovers how Earth's forces can shape nature, species, and even the climate.
In The Mysterious Nautilus, narrator Sir David Attenborough highlights the nautilus, a fascinating marine creature that spends its days hiding over 1,300 feet (400 meters) deep in the ocean. Unlike its close relatives, the squid and octopus, which have lost their shells over time, the nautilus retains its protective spiral shell. This shell contains gas-filled chambers that control its buoyancy. Propelling itself backward using a water jet, the nautilus must rely on chemical sensors in its small tentacles to detect both prey and predators. One of its main predators is the octopus, a master of disguise. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In Deep Breath: The Bajau’s Incredible Diving Adventures, Simon explores the world of the Bajau, a community of sea nomads who live in homes built on stilts above the coral reefs. He meets Bari, a skilled diver who shows him the underwater world of the coral triangle. Bari dives 50 to 65 feet (15 to 20 meters) deep on a single breath, and Simon learns the Bajau have evolved to hold more oxygen in their blood, allowing them to stay underwater for long periods of time! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Protecting Raja Ampat’s Ecosystem, Simon explores Raja Ampat, a marine paradise with over 2,000 fish species and coral reefs. While exploring, marine rangers board Simon’s boat to check permits and ensure no one is breaking the law in this protected area. The rangers share their vital work, like stopping illegal fishing of sea turtles and baby sharks which harms the ecosystem. New laws are a game-changer, saving Raja Ampat from the devastation caused by overfishing just a few decades ago. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Why Acidic Seas Spell Trouble, geologist Iain Stewart explores how global warming is shaking up life in the ocean. In Palau, an ocean scientist shares the story of millions of golden jellyfish that vanished when the water’s temperature rose by a few degrees. Plus, learn how rising carbon dioxide is making the ocean more acidic, threatening coral reefs and the marine life that depends on them. The ocean is changing fast, and scientists are racing to understand what’s next for our planet's underwater world! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Earth: The Power of the Planet, a documentary series in which Dr. Iain Stewart discovers how Earth's forces can shape nature, species, and even the climate.