GabyOceanographers have confirmed that the reefs in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans are experiencing bleaching due to record-high water temperatures. This indicates that the world’s oceans are on the brink of an ecological disaster. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “we are currently witnessing global coral bleaching— the fourth such event in recorded history and the second in the last decade.” From February 2023 to April 2024, significant coral bleaching has been reported in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres across every major ocean basin. This was stated by Dr. Derek Manzello, NOAA’s coral reef observation coordinator.
“They will blacken and die”
There’s nothing quite like watching vibrant fish darting among the branches of coral. However, the coral reefs of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans are now under threat of extinction. Their bleaching is caused by thermal stress linked to the climate crisis, particularly rising ocean temperatures and excessive sunlight. Additionally, factors such as tides and environmental pollution are contributing to this crisis, as reported by the Daily Mail. When coral experiences too much stress from changes in the ocean ecosystem, it turns white, becoming vulnerable to starvation, disease, and death. Experts have warned that if humanity does not take global action to restore coral reefs, they will blacken and perish. “As the world’s oceans continue to warm, coral bleaching is becoming more frequent and severe,” noted Derek Manzello.
Where Global Coral Bleaching Has Been Observed
A report published by the International Coral Reef Institute (ICRI) states that since 2023, mass coral bleaching has been confirmed in at least 53 countries and numerous areas of the world’s oceans. Among these are Florida, the Caribbean, the eastern tropical Pacific, including Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, significant regions of the southern Pacific, including Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Samoa, as well as the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Aden. Experts have also documented extensive bleaching in some parts of the western Indian Ocean, particularly in Tanzania, Kenya, the islands of Mauritius, Tromelin, Mayotte, the Seychelles, and off the western coast of Indonesia. As Mr. Manzello pointed out, when these phenomena are particularly severe or prolonged, they can lead to coral death. This, in turn, can negatively impact the goods and services associated with coral reefs, which are vital for the survival of coastal communities.
A significant loss of coral could affect food security and the economies of regions dependent on reefs, particularly tourism and commercial fishing. Jennifer Koss, director of NOAA’s coral reef conservation program, warned, “Climate model projections for coral reefs have long suggested that the impacts of bleaching will increase in frequency and scale as the oceans warm.” Statistics show that since the 1950s, over 50 percent of the world’s coral reefs have died. It is expected that by the end of the 21st century, up to 90 percent of corals could perish. The survival of numerous marine species that rely on coral reefs is at risk, as corals provide shelter, breeding grounds, and protection from predators.
In 2019, NOAA published a plan to assist distressed coral reefs. This plan was implemented during the heatwave of 2023 in Florida. Oceanographers relocated coral nurseries to deeper, cooler waters and installed special canopies to protect corals from the sun. Global bleaching is not the only ecological disaster threatening the world’s oceans. Due to rising temperatures on the planet, glaciers are melting rapidly, and sea levels are gradually rising. Researchers are urging humanity to fight against global warming by reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
