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‘Most of it was dead’: scientists discover one of Great Barrier Reef’s worst coral bleaching events

Raw Story

'Urgent' for Australia to protect Great Barrier Reef: UNESCO

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"[C]limate change is just a very, very expensive form of tax."

"I believe in climate change caused by human beings. What I'm skeptical about is the glib notion that it means the end of the world as we know it."

"The clock is no longer just ticking, it is banging."

"There is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change."

"The time for seeking global solutions [to climate change] is running out."

"The climate crisis is the existential threat. That's not hyperbole; it's a fact."

"[W]e are killing our planet."

Climate change is "above all, an existential crisis."

"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges mankind faces."

"If we don't take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon."

"Humanity is on thin ice — and that ice is melting fast."

"We haven't yet exceeded the bounds of viable human civilisation, but we're getting close."

Is Climate Change an Existential Threat?

According to a study published in Nature on Thursday, water temperatures in and around Australia's Great Barrier Reef have reached their highest levels in 400 years in the past decade, posing an existential threat to the marine ecosystem and biodiversity.

Reuters

The researchers reconstructed sea surface temperature from 1618 to 2024 using coral skeleton samples and ship and satellite data and found that the sea had warmed 0.12°C (0.22°F) on average from 1960 through 2024.

Livescience.Com

Repeated bleaching events — which occur when water temperatures rise by more than 1°C (1.8°F) — threaten the reef's fragile ecosystem and deplete the coral's nutrients and color.

France 24

The study found that 2024 was the hottest in at least 407 years and 1.73°C hotter than the average for years before 1900, adding mass bleaching events were recorded in 2004, 2016, 2017, 2020, and 2022.

The Great Barrier Reef is home to at least 600 types of coral and over 1.6K fish species and contributes about $4.2B to Australia's economy annually from tourism and other industries.

Al Jazeera

The 348K square-kilometer-long reef is listed by the UN as a world heritage site. Last month, the World Heritage Committee decided not to place it on a list of world heritage sites "in danger," stating it would reevaluate the matter in 2026.

DCCEEW

Guardian #1

Raw Story #1

A new study published in Nature on Thursday shows that water temperatures in and around Australia's Great Barrier Reef have reached their highest levels in the past 400 years during the last decade. If the warming continues, the largest living ecosystem on Earth may not survive.

Reuters #

According to the report, human-caused climate change is the most probable cause of warmer waters. Helen McGregor, one of the co-authors, expressed her extreme concern about the reef, referring to the temperature increases as "unprecedented."

France 24 #

Repeated bleaching events, which occur when water temperatures rise by more than one degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit), threaten the reef's fragile ecosystem. The heated temperature depletes the coral's nutrients and color.

Yahoo News

Yahoo News #

The scientists utilized ship and satellite data, along with coral drilling, to analyze samples that offer insights into ocean temperature changes dating back to 1618. According to the data, 2024 was the hottest in at least 407 years, and 1.73 °C hotter on average for years before 1900.

Al Jazeera #2588

Guardian #4156

The scientists conclude that without ambitious and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, "we will likely be witness to the demise of one of the Earth's natural wonders."

The report came out two weeks following the decision of the World Heritage Committee to exclude the reef, which is larger than Italy, from its list of endangered sites. The committee will reevaluate the matter in 2026.

The scientific evidence strongly indicates that human-induced climate change is responsible for the increase in ocean temperatures, posing an "existential threat" to the planet's unique natural wonder, the coral reefs. New data indicates that the oceans are currently experiencing the highest temperatures recorded in at least 407 years. The only way to preserve reefs is through rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Nature

Nature #

Author Correction: Vulnerability to collapse of coral reef ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean

Most scientists agree that climate change is the cause of rising ocean surface temperatures. However, this does not explain why there is a sudden heat surge now. Potential variables include El Nino, random weather events, and reduced sulfur emissions from ships. There is also a possibility that random chance plays a role. Chaotic weather systems may reduce ocean cloud cover, leading to an increase in solar radiation and ocean warming. To establish certainty, further research is required.

The Maritime Executive

The Maritime Executive #

What We Know (And Don't Know) About the Ocean's Soaring Surface Temps

There is a 50% chance global warming will be 2.88 degrees Celsius by 2100, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus #

Global Warming in 2100 over 1880 Baseline

Alexis Rosenfeld / Contributor /

Hottest oceans in 400 years endanger Great Barrier Reef, scientists say

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The scientific evidence strongly indicates that human-induced climate change is responsible for increased ocean temperatures, which threaten the world's largest reef. Australia must do more to reduce its emissions to battle climate change and protect its greatest natural asset.

While climate change could affect ocean temperatures, weather phenomena such as El Niño may also play a role. Chaotic weather patterns can reduce ocean cloud cover, which could lead to an increase in solar radiation and ocean warming. Further research is required to establish certainty.

There's a 50% chance that there will be at least 2.88°C of global warming by 2100, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Study: Hottest Sea in 400 Years Threatens Great Barrier Reef

Australia

Study: Hottest Sea in 400 Years Threatens Great Barrier Reef

Study: Hottest oceansSea in 400 yearsYears endangerThreatens Great Barrier Reef, scientists say

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Study: Hottest Sea in 400 Years Threatens Great Barrier Reef

Study: Hottest oceansSea in 400 yearsYears endangerThreatens Great Barrier Reef, scientists say

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