Coral Reefs Under Threat from Climate Warming
New scientific studies reveal that coral reefs are facing severe pressure from global warming, with 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, affecting hundreds of millions of people who rely 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.
The report, produced by over 160 scientists in 23 countries, led by the Global Systems Institute at the UK’s University of Exeter, emphasizes the urgent need for action to protect coral reefs.
Their thermal tipping point is estimated to be 1.2C of warming.
- Global average temperatures are about 1.3-1.4C above pre-industrial times.
- Coral reefs are dying at an accelerated rate due to repeated mass bleaching events.
- Hundreds of millions of people rely on coral reefs for fishing, tourism, and protection.
Author's summary: Coral reefs face severe threats from climate warming.