Record-breaking temperatures threaten mass coral bleaching

The upper ocean is undergoing unprecedented changes, with marine heatwaves causing extreme sea surface temperature (SST) increases in the eastern tropical Pacific  and wider Caribbean. These events, exacerbated by climate cycles like El Niño–Southern Oscillation, lead to mass coral bleaching. Anomalously high SSTs in 2023, breaking records since the 1980s, indicate a global coral bleaching and mortality event in 2024, threatening coral-dominated ecosystems. Despite past efforts, global warming trends persist, jeopardising coral reefs and marine biodiversity. Urgent, comprehensive strategies are required, combining greenhouse gas emission reduction, habitat protection, sustainable practices, and adaptive management to preserve marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs crucial for millions worldwide. (Science)