About Anne Cohen’s Episode

Anne Cohen, scientist, oceanographer, and self-proclaimed “curious person” has spent the last twenty-five years at The Wood’s Hole Oceanic Institute studying and exploring her passions with coral reefs. “I think of a coral reef as a world, almost a planet, with every single type of life living on it.” Besides their complexity and beauty, coral reefs serve a significant purpose with coastal protection as they absorb the majority of the energy of the ocean. This form of protection is important in keeping our coastline stable during storms and tidal extremes. Her research with coral reefs is extremely important in these times as their existence is in jeopardy from man’s impact on the ocean. Today almost 20 to 30 percent of all coral reefs are in danger from pollution, sediment, global warming, and agricultural runoff. Despite the overwhelming odds, Anne is optimistic that the work she and others in the field is making a difference in the resurgence of coral reefs globally. “Twenty-five years ago the situation was quite different, but through science and through awareness, huge programs have been put in place that helps us learn from our previous mistakes.”