Global coral bleaching crisis accelerating with El Niño

The world is experiencing its fourth and potentially most extensive global coral bleaching event, affecting reefs in over 50 countries. The severe environmental crisis is being exacerbated by the current El Niño and ongoing global warming, which elevate sea temperatures to levels lethal for coral ecosystems. Scientists from NOAA and the International Coral Reef Initiative, utilising satellite data and in-water measurements, report that more than 54% of the world's coral reefs have already suffered heat stress leading to bleaching since early 2023. The event is expected to surpass the spatial extent of the 2014-2017 bleaching event, previously the largest recorded. The phenomenon highlights the dire need for robust global actions to mitigate climate change and protect vulnerable marine ecosystems. (Mongabay)