Bleaching has affected 84% of the world's corals

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Scientists confirm that we are currently witnessing the fourth bleaching event since 1998, surpassing the record-breaking bleaching from 2014 to 2017, when almost two-thirds of the world's coral reefs were affected. Unfortunately, it is unclear when the current crisis will improve as global temperatures continue to rise.

The former head of coral monitoring at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said we may never see a decline in the heat stress that triggers the global bleaching event. We are now witnessing something that is radically changing the face of our planet and the oceans' ability to sustain life and livelihoods.

Last year was a record-breaking warm year, and much of that heat is going into the oceans. That's why the average annual surface temperature of the oceans away from the poles was 20.87 degrees Celsius. Such temperatures are deadly for corals, which are key to seafood production, tourism and protecting coastlines from erosion and storms.

Coral reefs are often called the rainforests of the sea because they support high levels of biodiversity. One quarter of all marine species are found in coral reefs and their surrounding areas.

They get their color from the colorful algae that live in them and also serve as food for the corals. Prolonged high water temperatures cause the algae to release toxic compounds and the corals expel them. The result is a white skeleton left behind, and the weakened coral is at increased risk of death.

Efforts are currently underway to preserve and restore corals. Scientists are trying to propagate corals and then replant them in areas where their massive decline has been recorded. Scientists also agree that it is imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are warming the planet.

Source:CNN