Alex Mustard photographed healthy reefs in the Maldives
As our oceans warm up, the spectacular coral reefs of the Maldives archipelago are dying. Michael Marshall reports on the new philanthropic project aiming to make them more resilient to climate change
Beneath the glittering cerulean waters of the Maldives archipelago, trouble is brewing. The extraordinary coral reefs that encircle these islands are being damaged by climate change, threatening the country?s very survival.
Fortunately, help is at hand. A local research and conservation institute has bold plans to strengthen the reefs by breeding the most resilient corals and seeding them in the waters of the Maldives. With the help of a new philanthropic initiative, led by Deutsche Bank, the project is ready to set sail. Follow LUX on Instagram: luxthemagazine
The Maldives is one of the countries most affected by climate change. ?You couldn?t find a place more in the front lines,? says Callum Roberts, Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of Exeter.
As the Earth?s temperature warms, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, the oceans are being reshaped. Most obviously, sea levels are rising ? and for low-lying islands like the Maldives that is an existential threat. But there?s more: seas are warming, the water is becoming more acidic and low-oxygen zones are spreading. These changes threaten all marine life.
Climate change poses a particular threat to corals. These tiny animals live in huge colonies underwater,...