Coral Reefs: A Crisis of Survival

Coral reefs are literally kicking out their best friends to survive, and it's creating

one of the most visible signs of climate change on Earth. Picture this: corals

are like apartment buildings filled with tiny colorful roommates called zooxanthellae.

These microscopic algae are the perfect tenants, they cook food for the coral through

photosynthesis and pay rent by giving corals their stunning colors. It's been the ultimate

friendship for millions of years. But when ocean temperatures spike by just half a degree,

this beautiful relationship turns toxic. The coral gets so stressed it evicts all its algae friends

in a panic, turning completely white. This is coral bleaching, and without their