Coral Reefs: A Crisis Unfolding

Coral reefs are dying right now, and the science behind it is actually terrifying.

These underwater cities cover less than one percent of the ocean but house thirty percent

of all marine life. Think of coral as tiny animals living with plant roommates called zooxanthellae.

These algae give coral their colors and food through photosynthesis. It's the ultimate

partnership. But here's where it gets bad. When ocean temperatures rise just half a

degree above normal, coral gets stressed and kicks out their algae roommates. This is coral bleaching.

Without their colorful partners, coral turns ghost white and starts starving.

Imagine your body ejecting your stomach because you got too hot. That's basically