Coral Reefs Under Threat from Climate Warming
New scientific studies reveal that coral reefs are facing severe pressure from global warming and ocean acidification, posing a significant threat to marine life.
According to recent research, warm-water coral reefs have crossed a tipping point due to global heating and are dying at an accelerated rate. This is attributed to repeated mass bleaching events, which impact hundreds of millions of people relying on them for fishing, tourism, and protection from rising seas and storm surges.
Global average temperatures have risen to 1.3-1.4C above pre-industrial times, exceeding the thermal tipping point of coral reefs, estimated to be 1.2C of warming. The second Global Tipping Points report, released on Monday, warns that if the trend is not reversed, coral reefs worldwide will be lost.
Their thermal tipping point is estimated to be 1.2C of warming.
The report, produced by over 160 scientists in 23 countries, led by the Global Systems Institute at the UK’s University of Exeter, highlights the urgent need for ocean protection to rise up the political agenda.
Author's summary: Coral reefs face severe pressure from climate warming.