Coral reefs are the nursery for all life in the oceans, a remarkable ecosystem that sustains us. Yet with carbon emissions warming the seas, a phenomenon called “coral bleaching”—a sign of mass coral death—has been accelerating around the world, and the public has no idea of the scale or implication of the catastrophe silently raging underwater.
If you would like to learn more or find ways to help save our corals, join us for a free screening of the film Chasing Corals on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, at 5:00 p.m. in LaSells Stewart Center on campus. Following the film, six OSU scientists specializing in coral reefs will present a lively panel discussion with a reception with light refreshments. The event is free and open to the public.
The film is a breathtaking depiction of what is happening below the surface of our oceans. OSU scientists are bringing the documentary to campus in hopes of engaging you and the public to discuss how people can help. A panel of six scientists will share their research, answer questions and offer their perspective on what the future holds for these precious ecosystems.
Panelists include science faculty who specialize in corals:
- Nathan Kirk – Coral Ecology
- Rebecca Vega-Thurber – Coral Microbiology
- John Parkinson – Coral Restoration
- Kirsten Grorud-Colvert – Coral Management
- Su Sponaugle – Coral Fishes
- Eli Meyer – Coral Genomics
The film’s director, Jeff Orlowski, also directed the Chasing Ice, which created irrefutable, visual proof of the melting ice caps. Just as informative and powerful, 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.
The event is organized by graduate students in the Department of Integrative Biology.
