Almost every shallow-water coral reef on the planet faces ecosystem collapse by 2075, UN advisors say
Assessment finds global heating is endangering 96% of coral reefs across 80 countries – a figure scientists say should serve as a ‘wake-up call’ Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here Almost every shallow-water coral reef on the planet, including Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, faces a high risk of ecosystem collapse before 2075 because of global…
Nearly all of the world's coral reef ecosystems are at high risk of collapse within the next five decades, primarily due to rising ocean temperatures and heatwaves, according to a comprehensive global assessment released on Thursday. Conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the study, presented at a United Nations biodiversity conference in Albania, revealed that 96% of shallow-water reef systems are currently critically endangered and may disappear by 2075.
Among the most iconic reef systems, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Coral Triangle in Western Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, and the Red Sea coral reefs, all are classified as critically endangered, representing the highest threat level. Mishal Gudka, the scientific lead of the IUCN Red List of Coral Reef Ecosystems assessment, emphasized that while the risk of coral reef collapse is intensifying, it should serve as a wake-up call rather than instill despair.
Gudka highlighted that coral reefs have demonstrated a remarkable capacity to recover from severe bleaching events.
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