Australian Story – Monday 27 February 8 pm, ABC TV and ABC iview

Eighteen years ago Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg created controversy with a report predicting the demise of many of the world’s coral reefs by the middle of this century.  

At the time his projections were met with scepticism and he was accused of needless alarmism.  But since then his overall predictions about the impact of climate change on coral reefs have proved correct.

Current scientific projections are that 90 per cent of the world’s coral reefs will be dead by 2050. But Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a member of the Foundation's International Scientific Advisory Committee, along with his team at the University of Queensland, believe it's not too late to act.

He’s now at the forefront of a bold new plan funded by overseas philanthropy to save the remaining 10 per cent of coral reefs from extinction. 

The announcement will lay out an ambitious global strategy to protect the world’s remaining reefs from the perils of increased sea temperatures, bleaching and other weather-related damage. 

The full story behind the plan will air exclusively on Australian Story on Monday 27 February.

When asked about his appearance on the iconic ABC program Ove said, “I think what is important here is to realise this is not about me and my family, but about the issue of how climate change and its serious threat to critically important ecosystems such as the Great Barrier Reef.”  

“I am sure there are many more interesting people to focus on. However, this provides an important great opportunity to profile the irrefutable science and highlight the urgency of the climate change issue.”

“Right now, given the misinformation on climate change, getting science across in different formats is extremely important – especially when it is linked to human stories that make this issue real to everyone.”

“We are no different to many other families that visit the Great Barrier Reef.  Coming here is one of the great privileges of living in Australia.”