Oceans Part 3: Cloud Brightening

As the world grapples with the escalating consequences of climate change, the devastating impact on marine ecosystems is becoming increasingly evident. Coral reefs, which are vital to the health of our oceans and support an estimated 25% of all marine species, are facing severe challenges due to rising ocean temperatures. The Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest coral reef system on Earth, has experienced frequent and intense coral bleaching events, threatening its very existence. The damage inflicted by bleaching not only affects the marine life that depends on the reef, but also has far-reaching implications for the global climate. The loss of these reefs would have a profound impact on millions of people who rely on the reefs for their livelihoods, as well as on the countless species that call them home. As we confront the challenge of preserving these crucial ecosystems, could a promising technology called cloud brightening offer a potential solution to mitigating the effects of climate change on our reefs?