A surge in coral reef bleaching due to climate change prompted the United Nations to convene an emergency session where countries pledged funds to protect these critical ecosystems.
Steven Grattan reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Scientists report that 77% of coral reefs worldwide are experiencing bleaching largely due to rising ocean temperatures linked to climate change.
- Governments including the U.K. and Germany pledged $30 million to support the U.N. coral reef conservation fund, aiming to raise $3 billion by 2030.
- The U.N. will hold an ocean conference in 2025 in Nice, France seeking additional funding commitments for reef preservation.
Key quote:
“Protecting our ocean and its precious habitats is fundamental to life on earth. But without urgent action, the world’s coral reefs face extinction from global heating, acidification, disease, and pollution; a vital ecosystem lost within our lifetime.”
— Mary Creagh, U.K. Minister for Nature
Why this matters:
Coral reefs are essential for biodiversity, supporting over a quarter of marine species and providing livelihoods for nearly a billion people. Without urgent intervention, reefs could face extinction within decades, impacting food security, coastal protection and global marine health.
