Resources: Chasing Coral
The XL Catlin Seaview Survey was conducted in 2012 in partnership with global agencies to document thirty-two different reefs using panoramic and high definition cameras. The goal of the survey was to create a visual database of the coral reefs that could be used by anyone interested in studying and analyzing the reefs from anywhere in the world. Jeff Orlowski was the documentary filmmaker for Chasing Ice, which inspired Richard Vevers to propose the idea of using time-lapses of the changing coral ecosystem for Chasing Coral. Coral are living organisms composed of many smaller organisms, referred to as polyps, which have photosynthetic factories of plants and algae that provide food to polyps. They are in many symbiotic relationships with other organisms in the ocean. Coral bleaching is caused by an increase in water temperature that causes the coral to expel its photosynthetic organisms, creating coral “skeletons” that will likely die over time.
Trailer for Chasing Coral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6fHA9R2cKI
Chasing Coral taps into the collective will and wisdom of an ad man, a self-proclaimed coral nerd, top-notch camera designers, and renowned marine biologists as they invent the first time-lapse camera to record bleaching events as they happen. Unfortunately, the effort is anything but simple, and the team doggedly battles technical malfunctions and the force of nature in pursuit of their golden fleece: documenting the indisputable and tragic transformation below the waves. With its breathtaking photography, nail-biting suspense, and startling emotion, Chasing Coral is a dramatic revelation that won’t have audiences sitting idle for long.
Lesson plans
Video Clips
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Clip: Clip 1 - Introducing the Ocean
Introduction to The Ocean with Richard Vevers -
Clip: Clip 2 - Meeting Ruth and Ove
Meeting with Dr. Ruth Gates and Dr. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg -
Clip: Clip 3 - The Coral Ecosystem
The Importance of the Coral Ecosystem -
Clip: Clip 4 - Climate Change over time
Global Climate Change Over Time
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Clip: Clip 5 - Everything is Connected
Impact of the Coral Ecosystem
