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Scientist Breaks Down In Tears Over State Of Great Barrier Reef In New David Attenborough Doco

Scientist Breaks Down In Tears Over State Of Great Barrier Reef In New David Attenborough Doco

There have been three major bleaching events at the Reef in the past five years and experts are extremely worried.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

A revered scientist has struggled to hold back tears while talking about the state of the Great Barrier Reef.

Professor Terry Hughes was interviewed as part of David Attenborough's new Netflix documentary Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet.

It takes a look at what is happening to our world, both natural and man-made, and explains what we need to do to stop horrible things happening.

The 70-minute film focuses on research from Swedish scientist Professor Johan Rockström, who studied global tipping points and how far systems can be pushed before they break.

Netflix says viewers will be told 'humanity has pushed Earth beyond the boundaries that have kept Earth stable for 10,000 years, since the dawn of civilisation'.

One of those boundaries is found at the Great Barrier Reef, which has been going through a tough time as the oceans slowly increase in temperature.

The legendary scientist, Professor Hughes, is brought in to explain the bleaching events that have happened at the Reef in 2016, 2017 and 2020.

"It's a job I hoped I would never have to do because it's actually very confronting..." he said before trailing off and breaking down.

A coral bleaching event is when the coral expel the algae that provides up to 90 per cent of the coral's energy. The normally beautifully colourful coral end up turning pearly white.

It's clear Prof Hughes is absolutely devastated at witnessing one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world be affected by the climate.

Acropora (Creative Commons)

People have been heartbroken at watching this part of the documentary and took to Twitter to share their sentiments.

One person said: "It's incredibly sobering with easy to understand stories, data & metaphors. I'd encourage to you watch, share, retweet & then vote for a party & MPs that understand the #ClimateCrisis we face."

Another added: "The great Irish scientist @ProfTerryHughes makes big contribution to #BreakingBoundaries outlining the terrible toll from heat-induced ocean acidification & coral bleaching. His distress in the face of what's happening and frustration at not being listened to is palpable."

A third wrote: "Anyone whose woken up to climate issues will feel what these scientists are feeling. Absolute despair at what's playing out in front of us, and of the continued inaction."

Today is World Oceans Day (June 8), so have a watch of the documentary to see how our seas are faring in 2021. Spoiler alert: it's not great news.

LADbible Australia has been trying to make the Great Barrier Reef a citizen in the hope the Australian government would then be responsible for its welfare. Click here to find out more.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Australia, Citizen Reef