Almost all coral reef ecosystems face risk of collapse in 50 years, study warns
The first global assessment of reef ecosystems says heat stress from climate change is the main threat, with only 24% classified as critically endangered without future warming.
- On Thursday, the International Union for Conservation of Nature warned that 96% of the world's shallow-water coral reefs face an "extremely high risk" of collapse by 2075 due to climate change.
- Heat stress from climate change is the "single most consistent threat driving coral reef decline worldwide," the IUCN said. The United Nations warned Wednesday that global temperatures are on track to rise 2.6°C this century.
- The IUCN's analysis examined 127 tropical and subtropical systems covering 188,362 sq km. Iconic sites including the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Triangle are classified as "critically endangered," the highest risk category.
- Despite the dire findings, IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar said reefs "are not yet lost." She called for "ambitious emissions reductions, stronger protection and restoration efforts" to give reefs a chance to recover.
- Mishal Gudka, scientific lead of the assessment, stated the risk is escalating but "must be a wake-up call rather than a cause for despair." Pockets of resilient coral reefs can still remain with decisive action, he added.
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171 Articles
Alarm bells are ringing for coral reefs, one of the most critical building blocks of the world's ecosystem. A recent global report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) states that nearly all shallow-water coral reefs are at risk of complete extinction within the next 50 years due to the effects of global warming and the climate crisis.
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hyun Young-bok = Due to rising seawater temperatures and heat waves due to climate change, the coral reef ecosystem with the highest biodiversity in the world will be within 50 years...
According to the World Nature Conservation Union (IUCN), almost all coral reefs will be threatened with extinction in the future.
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