Summary
Named ~20% of the world’s coral species.
First full‑time researcher on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Former Chief Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
Authored Corals of the World and 100+ scientific publications.
Spearheads a “coral biorisk” biobank project for reef preservation.
Professor John ‘Charlie’ Veron is renowned as the ‘Godfather of Coral’. He is a distinguished marine scientist who has devoted his life to exploring and documenting coral reefs worldwide. Charlie has made significant contributions to the field, having discovered and described 20% of all coral species on the planet. His groundbreaking research on evolution earned him the prestigious Darwin Medal. With a remarkable career, including being the first full-time researcher on the Great Barrier Reef and serving as Chief Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Charlie is currently working on an ambitious mission to collect and preserve 400 species of coral in a biobank.
The Great Barrier Reef can indeed be utterly destroyed, and this could easily happen in the lifetime of my children.
Collaborators
Philip Sutton
Climate Strategist and Environmental Advocate (1951-2022)
Thought leader advancing safe climate frameworks, restoration goals and mobilisation strategies.
David Spratt
Research Director and Climate Analyst
Author examining existential threats, policy failures and urgent mitigation requirements globally.
