Great Barrier Reef's health status now 'critical' and 'deteriorating'
4 years ago

Great Barrier Reef's health status now 'critical' and 'deteriorating'

India Today  

An international conservation group has said that the health of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, world's most extensive and spectacular coral reef ecosystem, is in a "critical state and deteriorating" as climate change warms up the waters in which it lies. The largest reef system in the world - the Great Barrier Reef in Australia - has already lost more than half of its coral population in the past three decades. And now, coral-bleaching in 2016, 2017 and 2020 has further damaged its health and affected its animal, bird and marine population, the International Union for Conservation of Nature said in a report. HSBC and the Queensland government said in October they would buy "Reef Credits", a tradable unit that quantifies and values the work undertaken to improve water quality flowing onto the reef.

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History of this topic

“Absolutely devastating”: Climate change is pushing coral reefs to extinction, experts warn
1 month ago

“Absolutely devastating”: Climate change is pushing coral reefs to extinction, experts warn

Salon  

The Chagos Archipelago is one of the most remote places on Earth. “Currently coral reefs face many threats, including biodiversity loss, water quality, climate change, disease, predation, coastal development, litter, marine traffic and pollution,” Alliji explained. “The ocean has no boundaries and therefore a collaborative approach is required to ensure coral survival and guarantee their future.” We need your help …

Parts of Great Barrier Reef suffer highest coral mortality on record
1 month ago

Parts of Great Barrier Reef suffer highest coral mortality on record

Raw Story  

Parts of the Great Barrer Reef have suffered the highest coral mortality on record, Australian research showed Tuesday, with scientists fearing the rest of it has suffered a similar fate. In one northern section of the reef, about a third of hard coral had died, the "largest annual decline" in 39 years of government monitoring, the agency said. Often dubbed …

Great Barrier Reef hit by more bleaching
1 month ago

Great Barrier Reef hit by more bleaching

ABC  

Rachel Mealey: Last summer's extreme heat coupled with two cyclones in far north Queensland led to a mass coral bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef. Michael Slezak: Yeah, so look, a complete picture of the reef and which parts are worst hit is not quite available from the survey, but from the reefs that they have looked at, it's …

Parts of Great Barrier Reef record highest coral deaths due to heat, storms
1 month ago

Parts of Great Barrier Reef record highest coral deaths due to heat, storms

Al Jazeera  

Up to 72 percent of coral found dead on 12 of 19 surveyed reefs in the north of the world’s largest living structure. Recent mass bleaching, two cyclones and flooding have left parts of the Great Barrier Reef with “significant coral mortality”, according to new data from the Australian Institute of Marine Science. In one northern section of the reef, …

Nearly half of tropical coral species face extinction: report
1 month, 1 week ago

Nearly half of tropical coral species face extinction: report

Raw Story  

Almost half of all warm-water species of coral are threatened with extinction -- and climate change is the chief culprit, a new report said on Wednesday. Rising ocean temperatures have spurred mass bleaching events at coral reefs across the world, threatening crucial ecosystems for marine life as well as the livelihoods of people who rely on them. "Healthy ecosystems like …

Fourth mass coral bleaching prompts UN emergency session at Colombia biodiversity summit
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Fourth mass coral bleaching prompts UN emergency session at Colombia biodiversity summit

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Coral reefs are vital ecosystems …

Global coral bleaching event biggest on record: U.S. agency
2 months ago

Global coral bleaching event biggest on record: U.S. agency

Raw Story  

A global coral bleaching event that began last year has quickly grown to the largest on record, according to a U.S. agency, with the impacted reef area continuing to grow. From the beginning of 2023 through October 10, 2024, "roughly 77 percent of the world's reef area has experienced bleaching-level heat stress," Derek Manzello of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric …

Highest ocean heat in 400 years poses 'existential threat' to Great Barrier Reef
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Highest ocean heat in 400 years poses 'existential threat' to Great Barrier Reef

Raw Story  

The Great Barrier Reef recently experienced the highest ocean temperatures in at least four centuries and faces an "existential threat" due to repeated mass coral bleaching episodes, a study published Wednesday in Science found. "This attribution, together with the recent ocean temperature extremes, post-1900 warming trend, and observed mass coral bleaching, shows that the existential threat to the Great Barrier …

Great Barrier Reef waters were hottest in 400 years over the past decade, study finds
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Great Barrier Reef waters were hottest in 400 years over the past decade, study finds

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Ocean temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef hit their highest level in 400 years over the past decade, according to researchers who warned that the reef likely won’t survive if planetary warming isn’t stopped. During that time, between 2016 and 2024, the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem and one of the most biodiverse, suffered …

Great Barrier Reef endangered by hottest oceans in 400 years, study finds
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Great Barrier Reef endangered by hottest oceans in 400 years, study finds

Al Jazeera  

Researchers say the world is losing ‘one of our icons’ as human activity fuels temperature increases. Ocean temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef have hit their highest level in 400 years over the past decade, researchers say, warning that the largest living ecosystem on Earth likely will not survive if planetary warming is not stopped. Ocean temperatures around the reef …

New drone footage shows 97% of coral is dead in northern Great Barrier Reef
5 months, 4 weeks ago

New drone footage shows 97% of coral is dead in northern Great Barrier Reef

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy At least 97 per cent of corals on a reef in the northern section of …

Global coral bleaching crisis: Indian Ocean reefs severely affected by record heat, says NOAA
6 months, 1 week ago

Global coral bleaching crisis: Indian Ocean reefs severely affected by record heat, says NOAA

Hindustan Times  

Last month, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that the world’s coral reefs are experiencing a global mass bleaching event due to the combined effects of climate change and an El Niño climate pattern, which have pushed ocean temperatures to record highs. NOAA Coral Reef Watch has predicted all large-scale bleaching events since the late 1990s by …

Over 60% of world's coral reefs likely bleached in just the past year
7 months, 1 week ago

Over 60% of world's coral reefs likely bleached in just the past year

India Today  

In a dire warning about the escalating threat to the world's coral reefs, the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has revealed that nearly two-thirds of these vital marine ecosystems have experienced heat stress severe enough to trigger bleaching over the past year. "I am very worried about the state of the world's coral reefs," said Derek Manzello, coordinator of …

Experts say coral reef bleaching near record level globally because of ‘crazy’ ocean heat
7 months, 1 week ago

Experts say coral reef bleaching near record level globally because of ‘crazy’ ocean heat

Associated Press  

Ocean temperatures that have gone “crazy haywire” hot, especially in the Atlantic, are close to making the current global coral bleaching event the worst in history. That’s nearing the record of 65.7% in 2017, when from 2009 to 2017 about one-seventh of the world’s coral died, said Derek Manzello, coordinator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coral Reef Watch …

Lakshadweep in ecological crisis: Researchers find widespread bleaching of coral reefs due to marine heatwaves
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Lakshadweep in ecological crisis: Researchers find widespread bleaching of coral reefs due to marine heatwaves

India TV News  

Kochi: In a disturbing development, researchers have found that marine heatwaves are causing widespread bleaching of coral reefs in the Lakshadweep Sea, causing them to lose their colours due to stress, according to a study by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this level of Degree Heating Week poses a substantial risk …

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suffers worst bleaching on record
8 months, 1 week ago

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suffers worst bleaching on record

Al Jazeera  

The 2,300km reef is in its fifth mass bleaching event since 2016 with aerial surveys showing the scale of damage. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for some 2,300km off the country’s northeastern coast, is suffering its worst bleaching event on record. “This prolonged heat exposure has caused mass bleaching of coral reef communities observed within all three regions of …

Global coral bleaching event called by US climate agency for the fourth time in history after year of extreme ocean heat
8 months, 1 week ago

Global coral bleaching event called by US climate agency for the fourth time in history after year of extreme ocean heat

ABC  

The Ribbon Reef, on the northern side of the Great Barrier Reef, before coral bleaching occurred. Short window, massive change From above, aerial surveys of the Great Barrier Reef revealed a "mass coral bleaching event" was unfolding across the world-heritage site. This photo of Ribbon Reef, on the northern side of the Great Barrier Reef, was taken before coral bleaching …

Scientists say coral reefs around the world are experiencing mass bleaching in warming oceans
8 months, 1 week ago

Scientists say coral reefs around the world are experiencing mass bleaching in warming oceans

Associated Press  

Coral reefs around the world are experiencing global bleaching for the fourth time, top reef scientists declared Monday, a result of warming ocean waters amid human-caused climate change. Coral reef bleaching across at least 53 countries, territories or local economies has been confirmed from February 2023 to now, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and International Coral Reef …

Coral reefs undergoing fourth global bleaching event, say US scientists
8 months, 1 week ago

Coral reefs undergoing fourth global bleaching event, say US scientists

India Today  

Many of the world's colourful coral reefs along coastlines from Australia to Kenya to Mexico have turned white in what scientists said is the fourth global bleaching event in the last three decades. Since the last mass global bleaching event in 2016, ocean temperatures have risen so much that NOAA had to introduce three new heat alert levels. Ongoing episodes …

Coral bleaching: Ocean heat is driving a mass bleaching event, and it could be the worst on record
8 months, 1 week ago

Coral bleaching: Ocean heat is driving a mass bleaching event, and it could be the worst on record

CNN  

CNN — Coral reefs around the world are experiencing a mass bleaching event as the climate crisis drives record-breaking ocean heat, two scientific bodies announced Monday — with some experts warning this could become the worst bleaching period in recorded history. NOAA predicts La Niña, El Niño’s cooler counterpart, could arrive between June and August this year, which provides “a …

Coral reefs around the world experiencing mass bleaching, scientists say
8 months, 1 week ago

Coral reefs around the world experiencing mass bleaching, scientists say

Al Jazeera  

Scientists warn that many of the world’s reefs may not recover from the intense, prolonged heat stress. Along coastlines from Australia to Kenya to Mexico, many of the world’s colourful coral reefs have turned a ghostly white in what scientists say has amounted to the fourth global bleaching event in the last three decades. At least 54 countries and territories …

The Science Quiz | Coral bleaching
9 months ago

The Science Quiz | Coral bleaching

The Hindu  

What is the name of the coral reef system that was in the news most recently for a significant bleaching event? The creatures primarily responsible for building reefs are called coral ______. This Australia-based marine scientist, who began with research work on coral reefs in the Caribbean in the 1970s, is widely considered to be the foremost authority on coral …

Scientists detect coral bleaching in Great Barrier Reef's far north
9 months, 1 week ago

Scientists detect coral bleaching in Great Barrier Reef's far north

Hindustan Times  

Australian researchers have found coral bleaching around six islands in the far northern parts of the Great Barrier Reef, after a government agency said last week a major bleaching event was unfolding across the world's most extensive reef ecosystem. Great Barrier Reef Scientists at the James Cook University said on Friday they found only a few relatively healthy areas, mostly …

Restored coral reefs show incredible speed of recovery: Study
9 months, 1 week ago

Restored coral reefs show incredible speed of recovery: Study

Live Mint  

Coral reefs are rapidly disappearing worldwide, and the majority are under threat due to human-induced climate change. Researchers have found that efforts to restore coral reefs not only increase coral cover, but can also reinstate ecosystem functions quite quickly. The study, published in the journal Current Biology, shows that restored coral reefs can grow at the same speed as healthy …

Australia's Great Barrier Reef in grip of 'mass bleaching event'
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Australia's Great Barrier Reef in grip of 'mass bleaching event'

The Hindu  

A "mass bleaching event" is unfolding on Australia's famed Great Barrier Reef, authorities said on March 8, as warming seas threaten the spectacular home to thousands of marine species. Often dubbed as the world's largest living structure, the Great Barrier Reef is a 2,300 km expanse of tropical corals that house a stunning array of biodiversity. Mr. Leck said climate …

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef hit by mass coral bleaching
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef hit by mass coral bleaching

Al Jazeera  

Warming seas are threatening the home of thousands of marine species, but some corals can recover if temperatures cool. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has been hit by a major coral bleaching event likely caused by heat stress built up over the summer at the biologically diverse site, a government agency has said. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which …

NOAA extends coral reef alert scale after extreme coral heat stress
10 months, 2 weeks ago

NOAA extends coral reef alert scale after extreme coral heat stress

CNN  

CNN — With water temperatures climbing to unprecedented heights, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has added new levels to its alert system to account for increasingly severe coral bleaching and higher mortality rates. Alert Level 5, the new highest level classified as “near complete mortality,” means “greater than 80 percent of corals in the highlighted area are at risk …

Cause and Effect | Alarming rise in ocean temperatures spells doom for coral ecosystems
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Cause and Effect | Alarming rise in ocean temperatures spells doom for coral ecosystems

Hindustan Times  

The oceans on February 1 reached a record high temperature of 21.12°C, a day after returning to the previous record of 21.1°C set in December 2023, after August and also April. And predicting this threat to what is often referred to as the rainforests of the sea, the US government’s Coral Reef Watch added three new alert categories to represent …

The Great Barrier Reef has avoided an 'in danger' listing, but still faces near-complete destruction
1 year, 3 months ago

The Great Barrier Reef has avoided an 'in danger' listing, but still faces near-complete destruction

ABC  

The world's biggest coral reef system is not going on the UN's list of World Heritage sites "in danger". The fact is, coral reefs including the Great Barrier Reef, face near complete destruction in the coming decades. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has ruled that the climate impacts of several new coal mines can't be considered when approving them under existing …

Sea temperatures lead to unprecedented, dangerous bleaching of Florida's coral reef, experts say
1 year, 4 months ago

Sea temperatures lead to unprecedented, dangerous bleaching of Florida's coral reef, experts say

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Great Barrier Reef heatwave sparks fear of 'potentially catastrophic' coral bleaching event
1 year, 4 months ago

Great Barrier Reef heatwave sparks fear of 'potentially catastrophic' coral bleaching event

ABC  

Reef scientist Dean Miller has been diving on the Great Barrier Reef since 1999 and would ordinarily wear a wetsuit in winter, but not this year. Key points: The water on the Great Barrier Reef is "extremely warm" this winter, scientists say A prominent reef scientist fears another bleaching event Tanya Plibersek says the government is working to mitigate the …

Australia's Great Barrier Reef off UNESCO danger list, still under 'serious threat'
1 year, 4 months ago

Australia's Great Barrier Reef off UNESCO danger list, still under 'serious threat'

The Hindu  

A UNESCO heritage committee on Tuesday stopped short of listing Australia's Great Barrier Reef as a site that is "in danger" but warned the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem remained under "serious threat" from pollution and the warming of oceans. UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - in November said the reef should be put on …

Australia welcomes lifting of UNESCO threat to list Great Barrier Reef as World Heritage in danger
1 year, 4 months ago

Australia welcomes lifting of UNESCO threat to list Great Barrier Reef as World Heritage in danger

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — The Australian government on Tuesday welcomed a draft UNESCO decision to a lift a threat of downgrading the Great Barrier Reef to an endangered World Heritage site. But UNESCO issued an updated a report in Paris on Monday that said it would be appropriate to re-evaluate whether the famed tourist attraction off Australia’s northeast coast fitted the …

Australia's Great Barrier Reef off UNESCO danger list but…
1 year, 4 months ago

Australia's Great Barrier Reef off UNESCO danger list but…

Hindustan Times  

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is not a site "in danger", a UNESCO heritage committee said while warning that the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem remained under "serious threat" from pollution and warming of oceans. Australia has been attempting to keep the Great Barrier Reef off the list as it could lead to the site losing its heritage status resulting in …

Scientists say Florida Keys coral reefs are already bleaching as water temperatures hit record highs
1 year, 5 months ago

Scientists say Florida Keys coral reefs are already bleaching as water temperatures hit record highs

Associated Press  

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Some Florida Keys coral reefs are losing their color weeks earlier than normal this summer because of record-high water temperatures, meaning they are under stress and their health is potentially endangered, federal scientists said. Surface temperatures around the Keys have been averaging about 91 degrees, well above the normal mid-July average of 85 degrees, said Jacqueline …

Coral Bleaching: What is it?
1 year, 5 months ago

Coral Bleaching: What is it?

The Hindu  

Record temperatures around the world have left animals, including humans, in dire straits. There is more to bleaching, however: most corals are home to a type of algae called zooxanthellae, which give the corals their colours as well as have a symbiotic relationship with them. When the ocean environment changes – for example, if its temperature rises beyond a point, …

Florida coral reefs risk ‘nasty bleaching’ as temperatures reach 90F: ‘We’re in unchartered territories’
1 year, 5 months ago

Florida coral reefs risk ‘nasty bleaching’ as temperatures reach 90F: ‘We’re in unchartered territories’

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Florida coral reefs are facing an unprecedented threat from a sudden marine heat wave that …

To restore reefs dying in warming seas, UAE turns to coral nurseries
1 year, 6 months ago

To restore reefs dying in warming seas, UAE turns to coral nurseries

The Hindu  

On a boat off the coast of an island near Abu Dhabi, marine scientist Hamad al-Jailani feels the corals, picked from the reef nursery and packed in a box of seawater, and studies them carefully, making sure they haven’t lost their colour. “We try to grow them from very small fragments up to — now some of them have reached …

To restore reefs dying in warming seas, UAE turns to coral nurseries
1 year, 6 months ago

To restore reefs dying in warming seas, UAE turns to coral nurseries

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy On a boat off the …

Coral bleaching causing ’unnecessary’ fish fights, threatening their survival
1 year, 11 months ago

Coral bleaching causing ’unnecessary’ fish fights, threatening their survival

Live Mint  

Fish that have lost food due to mass coral bleaching are getting into more unnecessary fights, causing them to expend precious energy and potentially threatening their survival, according to new research released on Wednesday. With the future of the world's coral reefs threatened by climate change, a team of researchers studied how a mass bleaching event affected 38 species of …

Scientists freeze Great Barrier Reef coral in a world-first trial
2 years ago

Scientists freeze Great Barrier Reef coral in a world-first trial

The Hindu  

Scientists working on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have successfully trialled a new method for freezing and storing coral larvae they say could eventually help rewild reefs threatened by climate change. The Great Barrier Reef has suffered four bleaching events in the last seven years, including the first-ever bleach during a La Niña phenomenon, which typically brings cooler temperatures. In a …

Australia argues against 'endangered' Great Barrier Reef status
2 years ago

Australia argues against 'endangered' Great Barrier Reef status

Hindustan Times  

Australia's environment minister said Tuesday her government will lobby against UNESCO adding the Great Barrier Reef to a list of endangered World Heritage sites, arguing that criticisms of government inaction on climate change were outdated. “If this World Heritage site is in danger, then most World Heritage sites around the world are in danger from climate change.” The report said …

Great Barrier Reef risks 'in danger' World Heritage listing
2 years ago

Great Barrier Reef risks 'in danger' World Heritage listing

The Hindu  

Australia's Great Barrier Reef should be added to a list of "in danger" World Heritage sites, according to UN experts who warned the fading wonder has been "significantly impacted" by climate change. The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's premier tourist drawcards and putting it on the in-danger list could substantially tarnish its allure for international visitors. Australian Environment …

Australia argues against ‘endangered’ Barrier Reef status
2 years ago

Australia argues against ‘endangered’ Barrier Reef status

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s environment minister said Tuesday her government will lobby against UNESCO adding the Great Barrier Reef to a list of endangered World Heritage sites, arguing that criticisms of government inaction on climate change were outdated. “We’ll very clearly make the point to UNESCO that there is no need to single the Great Barrier Reef out in this …

UN panel recommends Great Barrier Reef be put on 'in danger' list
2 years ago

UN panel recommends Great Barrier Reef be put on 'in danger' list

Hindustan Times  

Australia's Great Barrier Reef should be listed as a world heritage site that is "in danger", a UN panel recommended on Tuesday, saying the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem was significantly impacted by climate change and warming of oceans. This file photo taken on November 20, 2014 shows an aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of …

Explained | The Great Barrier Reef’s recovery and vulnerability to climate threats
2 years, 4 months ago

Explained | The Great Barrier Reef’s recovery and vulnerability to climate threats

The Hindu  

The story so far: The highest levels of coral cover, within the past 36 years, has been recorded in the northern and central parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, according to the annual long-term monitoring report by the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Besides predatory attacks and tropical cyclones, scientists say that the biggest threat to the health of the …

Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef show fragile comeback
2 years, 4 months ago

Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef show fragile comeback

Al Jazeera  

Two-thirds of the Great Barrier Reefs sees the largest amount of cover in 36 years, new report says. Two-thirds of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef showed the largest amount of coral cover in 36 years, according to an official long-term monitoring programme but the reef remains vulnerable to increasingly frequent mass bleaching. The recovery in the central and northern stretches of …

Probiotics could be used to help in Great Barrier Reef coral transplants
2 years, 6 months ago

Probiotics could be used to help in Great Barrier Reef coral transplants

ABC  

It is a substance many people take to achieve good gut health, commonly found in yoghurt and fermented vegetables like kimchi and sauerkraut. Key points: Researchers are using probiotics on coral to counter disease Corals grown in aquaculture have high mortality rates Other scientists say successful coral transplants will only buy time and that greater action on climate change is …

What the new Australian government needs to do as Great Barrier Reef suffers fourth bleaching in seven years
2 years, 7 months ago

What the new Australian government needs to do as Great Barrier Reef suffers fourth bleaching in seven years

Firstpost  

The next federal government has to phase out fossil fuel use and exports as quickly as possible, if they are serious about saving the Great Barrier Reef Widespread coral bleaching has now occurred on the Great Barrier Reef for the fourth time in seven years. Global warming means corals are already close to their bleaching threshold, and it doesn’t take …

Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached
2 years, 7 months ago

Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — More than 90% of Great Barrier Reef coral surveyed this year was bleached in the fourth such mass event in seven years in the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, Australian government scientists said. Bleaching is caused by global warming, but this is the reef’s first bleaching event during a La Niña weather pattern, which is associated with …

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