Almost all coral reefs face collapse risk within 50 years

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 13:32 · Archive

A global assessment found that 96% of shallow-water coral reef systems are critically endangered and could disappear by 2075.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has released a global assessment finding that almost all of the world's coral reef ecosystems face a high risk of collapse in the next 50 years. The primary cause is warming oceans and heat waves. The assessment found that 96% of shallow-water reef systems are already critically endangered and could disappear by 2075.

Most of the world's most famous reef systems are at the highest level of threat, including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Coral Triangle in the Western Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and the Red Sea coral reefs.

Mishal Gudka, scientific lead of the assessment, said the escalating risk of coral reef collapse 'must be a wake-up call rather than a cause for despair'. He noted that 'coral reefs have shown a remarkable ability to bounce back from devastating bleaching events' and that 'pockets of surviving, resilient coral reefs can still remain in the future'.

Coral reefs are critical sources for seafood and tourism, serve as buffers from coastal erosion and storms, and contain some of the world's richest biodiversity.

How it is being reported

• Almost all coral reef ecosystems face risk of collapse in 50 years, study warnsAn assessment of the world's coral reef ecosystems has found that almost all face a high risk of collapse in the next 50 years mostly due to warming oceans and heat waves.News4Jax · 22 Oct, 13:00
• Almost all coral reef ecosystems face risk of collapse in 50 years, study warnsAn assessment of the world's coral reef ecosystems has found that almost all face a high risk of collapse in the next 50 years mostly due to warming oceans and heat waves.Clickorlando · 22 Oct, 13:00

In this story: International Union for Conservation of Nature · Great Barrier Reef · Coral Triangle · Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System · Red Sea · Mishal Gudka

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