Africa: Human-Caused Climate Change, Not El Niño, Drives Most Coral Bleaching Events

Human-caused climate change, not El Niño, is the driving force behind all global coral bleaching events, new research finds

/PRNewswire/ -- Nearly every global coral bleaching event over the past 40 years would not have occurred without human-caused climate change, according to new...

The oceans are overheating—and scientists say a climate tipping point may be here

In 2023, the world’s oceans experienced the most intense and widespread marine heatwaves ever recorded, with some events persisting for over 500 days and covering nearly the entire globe. These searing ocean temperatures are causing mass coral bleaching and threatening fisheries, while also signaling deeper, system-wide climate changes.

Africa: Human-Caused Climate Change, Not El Niño, Drives Most Coral Bleaching Events

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania -- Every morning, as the Indian Ocean retreats from the reef off Zanzibar's Jambiani village, Chiku Chande steps into the knee-deep lagoon carrying bundles of seaweed seedlings. Years of farming these waters have taught her about every channel and coral outcrop. But lately, the corals that once glowed in brown and gold have become chalky white.

Human-Caused Climate Change, Not El Niño, Drives Most Coral Bleaching Events

Every morning, as the Indian Ocean retreats from the reef off Zanzibar’s Jambiani village, Chiku Chande steps into the knee-deep lagoon carrying bundles of seaweed seedlings. Years of farming these waters have taught her about every channel and coral outcrop. But lately, the corals that once glowed in brown and gold have become chalky white. […]