Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has suffered its most widespread coral bleaching on record, according to a government report. The reef, known for its vibrant coral and biodiversity, has seen its coral cover decline by the largest annual amount ever recorded.
Climate change is identified as the main cause of this devastating event, driven by rising ocean temperatures in 2024. The Great Barrier Reef is home to an array of species that are dependent on the health of the reef, making it crucial for conservation efforts.
Recent research has found that the “most spatially extensive” bleaching since records began almost 40 years ago occurred due to extreme heat stress caused by unusually warm tropical waters. This event has had a severe impact on the reef’s ecosystem, with some areas experiencing a significant decline in coral cover.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science surveyed 124 coral reefs and found that both northern and southern branches of the Great Barrier Reef were severely affected. The report warns that recovery may take years and is dependent on future coral reproduction and minimal environmental disturbance.
Experts caution that without urgent climate action, some coral reefs around the world are already beyond recovery, including the Great Barrier Reef. Australia’s continued reliance on coal exports and subsidies for fossil fuel sectors have contributed to its high greenhouse gas emissions.
The government has announced plans to develop new emissions reduction targets as part of its commitment to the Paris climate agreement. However, the scale of the problem suggests that more needs to be done to protect the world’s largest living structure from further bleaching events.
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/australias-great-barrier-reef-suffers-the-most-widespread-bleaching-on-record-101754418677367.html