Program 380a: The Great Barrier Reef; Kiribati and Vanuatu

Learn why the Great Barrier Reef — one of Earth's greatest natural wonders — is facing serious threats to its survival. Then author J. Maarten Troost introduces us to the remote Pacific island nations of Kiribati and Vanuatu, whose people have lived for centuries on a series of coral atolls and rugged volcanic islands. And we'll get a first-hand report on traditional life in Papua New Guinea.

• University of Sydney professor Iain McCalman, author of "The Reef" (Scientific American-FSG)
• Freelance journalist Jake Warga
• J. Maarten Troost, author of  "Head Hunters on My Doorstep:  A True Treasure Island Ghost Story"  (Gotham Books)

• Professor Iain McCalman is a member of the Royal Historical Society, and teaches history at the University of Sydney in Australia.  His latest book is The Reef:  A Passionate History of The Great Barrier Reef, from Captain Cook to Climate Change.
• This video presentation accompanies Iain McCalman's book "The Reef."   
• Iain McCalman is a co-director of the Sydney Environment Institute at the University of Sydney.  
• "The Reef" was reviewed in the New York Times.  
• A list of islands you can visit along the Great Barrier Reef.  
• Writer Ted Banfield found a home on the reef to be a literal life-safer for him in the early 20th century.  
• Jake Warga has included photos and video clips of his trip to Papua New Guinea in this Vimeo link.
• Jake Warga's website  includes a gallery from his photo tours.  
• Publisher's bio and book links for J. Maarten Troost.
• Rolf Potts has posted an interview with J. Maarten Troost on his website.
• The South Pacific Tourism Organization offers a link to visitor information about Kiribati.
• The World Atlas provides a map of the widespread islands of Kiribati. 
• The visitor website for the Vanuatu Tourism Office. 
• Mount Yasur is the highly active volcano on Vanuatu.
• The story of the John Frum Cargo Cult on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu.
• The kava on Vanuatu is reported to be particularly potent.