WATCH: Behind the scenes of new Warner Bros coral bleaching documentary
The film is based on groundbreaking research conducted in Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea and beyond.
Broadcast on Discovery for Earth Day, Monday 22nd April 2024, Beneath The Surface: The Fight For Corals follows the story of Salma Shaker. A free diver, her work has made significant contributions to better understanding how to protect reefs, and the impact of the climate crisis and global warming on the health of these vital marine ecosystems.
From her home in Saudi Arabia, to other areas of the Red Sea, widely considered one of the world’s foremost coral hotspots, and on to locations in Mexico, the documentary emphasises the global plight of reefs, which are enduring consistently higher sea temperatures and regular marine heat waves. A 2018 study showed that 70-90% of coral reefs will decline if the world experiences sustained 1.5C of global warming above pre-industrial levels. In January, this ‘limit’ was breached over a 12 month period for the very first time.
The film premiered as a fringe event during COP28 in Dubai late last year, and was co-produced by Red Sea Global. The investment company has extensive interests in sustainable and regenerative tourism. The company’s Advisory Board includes Environment Journal contributor Carlos Duarte, Professor of Marine Science at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
We are inspired by nature and led by science,’ said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global. ‘Our destinations are home to some of the most stunning corals anywhere in the world. They are also among the most resilient, but even Red Sea coral is not invincible. Our scientists are using innovative techniques to protect, nourish, and restore our corals, while also transferring knowledge to support coral reefs worldwide. In Beneath the Surface: The Fight for Corals, we aim to spotlight the beauty and vulnerability of these underwater wonders and emphasize the importance of global collaboration in preserving our oceans.’
You can watch a behind the scenes look at the film below:
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