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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Environment
Graham Readfearn Climate and environment reporter

UNBELIEVABLE: As record heat risks bleaching 73 of the world s coral reefs scientists ask what do we do now - The Untold Story

Bleached and dead staghorn coral off Heron Island, Australia in April 202.
Bleached and dead staghorn coral off Heron Island, Australia in April 2024. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

After 18 months of record-breaking ocean temperatures, the planet’s reefs are in the middle of the most widespread heat-stress event on record.

Across the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, latest figures from the US government’s Coral Reef Watch, shared with the Guardian, show 73% of the world’s corals have been hit with enough heat for them to begin bleaching.

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