Great Barrier Reef Faces Record Temperatures, Urgent Threats

August 9, 2024

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is experiencing serious problems because of climate change. Recently, scientists have found that the ocean’s surface temperature is the highest it has been in over 400 years. This rapid increase in temperature has caused a lot of coral bleaching, putting the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem at great risk.

Understanding Coral Bleaching

Coral bleaching happens when corals get stressed due to warmer water, pollution, or other harmful factors. This stress causes them to expel tiny organisms called dinoflagellates that they need to survive. Corals can recover if the stress is short-lived, but if it lasts too long, the corals may die.

Historical Context

Projected Future Impacts

Even if we manage to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, we could still lose 70-90% of the corals that exist today. Predictions show that global temperatures might rise between 1.9°C and 3.2°C by the end of this century, devastatingly affecting coral reefs and the millions of people who depend on them. If the current trends continue, the coral communities could become much less diverse, threatening their ecological roles and resilience. This situation demands immediate action to protect and preserve the GBR.

About the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system, stretching over 2,300 kilometers and consisting of about 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. It is home to over 1,500 species of fish and supports a wide range of marine life, including turtles and dolphins. The reef is so large that it can be seen from space, covering an area of about 344,400 square kilometers. Coral reefs can live for up to a thousand years, but the GBR, despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site, faces serious threats from climate change and coral bleaching.

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