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Severe Global Coral Bleaching Event Hits Over 80% of Coral Reefs

The world is witnessing an unprecedented ecological crisis, as more than 80% of the planet’s coral reefs have experienced severe bleaching—an occurrence described as the most extensive and impactful in recorded history.

According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coral reefs across 54 countries have exhibited signs of bleaching, with many suffering from complete or partial damage over the past year. This phenomenon, primarily triggered by elevated water temperatures, has escalated during a year recognized as the hottest globally on record. All three major oceanic regions—the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans—have displayed alarming increases in sea temperatures.

Researchers began observing critical heat stress in corals as early as the beginning of 2023. By April 2024, the situation had devolved to dire levels, with the current event now marking the fourth globally recognized coral bleaching incident.

Previous benchmarks were set by the bleaching event from 2014 to 2017, which had previously been deemed the most severe, impacting 68% of corals. The present situation has exceeded that scale, affecting over 84% of reefs worldwide, with bleaching occurring almost simultaneously across various regions.

“From February 2023 to April 2024, substantial coral bleaching was recorded in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres across every major ocean basin,” stated Derek Manzello, the NOAA Coral Reef Watch coordinator.

Coral bleaching occurs when corals expel zooxanthellae, the microscopic algae residing in their tissues that play a critical role in their health by producing essential oxygen through photosynthesis. The absence of these algae transforms corals into a stark white, ghostly state. Prolonged stress ultimately leads to coral mortality.

This raises concerns about the long-lasting effects of such stress. Coral reefs have notoriously slow recovery rates—often requiring a decade or more to rejuvenate, even under optimal conditions. The increasing temperatures of the oceans are pushing corals beyond their tolerable limits.

Often referred to as the “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs house approximately 25% of all marine species. Their degradation threatens to destabilize entire ecosystems. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) estimates that coral reefs contribute resources and services valued at $375 billion annually to human society.

Within the Caribbean, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Red Sea, and Florida’s coastal waters have experienced levels of bleaching that are alarmingly close to total destruction. Conservation efforts are underway; however, without addressing the fundamental drivers of climate change, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, these restoration initiatives may only serve as temporary measures.

“To truly safeguard coral reefs, we must confront the root cause of climate change—fossil fuel consumption,” emphasized Mark Eakin from the International Coral Reef Society in an interview with Euronews. “Other strategies are merely short-term fixes rather than genuine solutions.”

Source
explorersweb.com