What must be done to protect coral reefs? Experts explain

Jan 12, 2022

Coral reefs are vast, three-dimensional structures comprised of coral animal colonies that secrete calcium carbonate. Image: Unsplash/ Francesco Ungaro

Katie Wood

Communications Officer, Ocean Program, World Resource Institute

Lauretta Burke

Senior Associate, World Resource Institute

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Vibrant orange corals in the ocean at night.

A coral animal, or Image: Krishna Desai

A coral that underwent coral bleaching, leaving behind a white skeleton. Image: The Ocean Agency/Ocean Image Bank

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Between 2009 and 2018, coral cover progressively declined by 14% Image: ResourceWatch

Between 2009 and 2018, coral cover progressively declined by 14% Image: ResourceWatch

Projected frequency of severe coral bleaching conditions globally.

By the 2030s, 75% of coral reefs are likely to experience severe heat stress at least twice per decade. Image: ResourceWatch

The ten countries or territories with the largest coral reef area are displayed. Image: UNEP-WCMC, Protected Planet, MPAtlas

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