Scientists working on Australia's Great Barrier Reef successfully tested a novel technique for freezing and storing coral larvae. Reuters reported that they believe it may one day be used to help rewild reefs threatened by climate change. This development is timely since ocean temperatures are rising. Last month, record-breaking temperatures were measured across portions of the Great Barrier Reef, raising concerns about a second consecutive summer of widespread coral bleaching. 

According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the US government, November's sea surface temperatures across the northern portions of the reef were the highest on record, dating back to 1985.

Scientists work overtime to safeguard coral reefs as the warming ocean threatens fragile ecosystems. Four bleaching outbreaks, including the first-ever bleach during a La Nina phenomenon, which generally brings colder temperatures, have affected the Great Barrier Reef in the past seven years. 

If temperatures are not too high, corals can recover from bleaching. Scientists noted that recent years had witnessed an increase in the amount of coral present on the reef, which they attribute to the fast-growing corals that are also thought to be the most vulnerable to bleaching. 

Coral that has been cryogenically frozen can be kept and then reintroduced to the wild, but the current procedure calls for expensive machinery, including lasers. But, according to scientists, a novel, lightweight "cryomesh" that is easily produced and better preserves coral can be used.

So it's a race between science and the rising ocean temperatures. This competition could have been avoided if proper climate action policies had been agreed upon and executed when scientists raised the alarm about climate change.

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(Luna on her favorite spot)