Recent ocean heatwaves have triggered the fourth global mass coral bleaching event, devastating coral reefs worldwide.
Georgina Rannard reports for the BBC.
In short:
- Coral reefs globally are turning white and dying due to record ocean heat, marking the fourth mass bleaching event, according to NOAA.
- The bleaching, caused by stress from hot water, threatens marine life, fishing industries, and economies reliant on coral reefs.
- Rising ocean temperatures, exacerbated by climate change and El Niño, pose an existential threat to coral ecosystems.
Key quote:
"It's like going from corals providing houses and buildings for marine life to just being scaffolding. What really wants to live in scaffolding?"
— Jennifer McWhorter, NOAA
Why this matters:
Coral reefs, vital to marine ecosystems, are under severe threat from climate change-induced bleaching. The loss of coral not only impacts biodiversity but also jeopardizes industries reliant on healthy oceans. Read more: Unexpected ocean heat waves are becoming the norm.
