60 Minutes: The Gardens of the Queen

[ellisonz]

Anderson Cooper takes viewers on an underwater adventure to one of the world's most vibrant coral reefs, an anomaly at a time when many of the world's reefs are in danger - or already dead.
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60 Minutes cameras take you on an underwater adventure off the Cuban coast to one of the world's most pristine and vibrant coral reefs, known as the Gardens of the Queen. Anderson Cooper scuba dives with marine biologist David Guggenheim, dodging giant groupers and sharks, to explore this increasingly rare oasis. Scientists estimate that 25 percent of the world's reefs have died off and much of what's left is at risk.

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It takes some time to adjust to the routine wonders of this place, but after a while, even we began to feel like residents of the reef.

Guggenheim: You know, in the conservation world, the work that I do, a lot of it is pretty negative. You know? Things have gotten pretty bad. So to come to a place like this and see it so alive, you know, I feel like a teenager again. I feel like there really is hope.

Transcript: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57344527/the-gardens-of-the-queen/?tag=contentMain;contentBody
Video: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7392092n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox

You cannot watch this story and be indifferent to the plight of the underwater world...

[MuseRider]

1. I have heard from divers

allowed to travel and dive in Cuba that it is astonishing. I have long wanted to dive there. I did catch that segment, it was simply the most beautiful reef I have seen but then I don't dive with high powered lights that show all those colors. Lots of fish and all those sharks! One does not really need to be afraid of sharks when their bellies are full

Beautiful reef. I don't know if it will stay that way for much longer.

[ellisonz]

2. I think the Cuban government is committed to protecting whats left.

I had no idea Castro was a diver...

Having seen the depleted reefs of Oahu - I can only hope that one day soon we will wake up and do what we must to prevent the further expansion of dead zones.

[dballance]

3. As a Diver and One Who Believes in Conservaion

I'm so excited to see such a vibrant and lively reef. Good for Cuba for protecting nature. And, BTW, it's not socialism or communism to try to protect species.

[UncleTomsEvilBrother]

6. Wow!

Is it me, or is that a BP drilling instrument I faintly see in the background?

[Citizen Worker]

4. This is an obvious commie plot to take over the world.

[ellisonz]

5. Through pernicious preservation and lack of full capitalization.

We ought to learn them the ways of civilization