Ocean

99% of coral reefs could disappear if we don't slash emissions this decade, alarming new study shows

Coral reefs have long been regarded as one of the most significant ecological casualties of global warming.

Coral reefs have long been regarded as one of the most significant ecological casualties of global warming. Image: Unsplash/ Biorock Indonesia

Scott F. Heron
Associate Professor in Physics, James Cook University
Peter Kalmus
Data Scientist, NASA
Maria Beger
Associate Professor in Conservation Science, University of Leeds
Adele Dixon
PhD Candidate in Coral Biology, University of Leeds
Share:
Our Impact
The Big Picture
Explore and monitor how Ocean is affecting economies, industries and global issues
A hand holding a looking glass by a lake
Crowdsource Innovation
Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale
Stay up to date:

Ocean

Bleached coral reefs are more vulnerable to disease and starvation.
Bleached coral reefs are more vulnerable to disease and starvation. Image: Maria Beger, Author provided
Discover

What’s the World Economic Forum doing about climate change?

Healthy coral reefs can support a vast array of life.
Healthy coral reefs can support a vast array of life. Image: Maarten De Brauwer, Author provided
At 2°C of warming, safe havens from heat for coral reefs will no longer exist.
At 2°C of warming, safe havens from heat for coral reefs will no longer exist. Image: Dixon et al. (2022)/PLOS Climate

Climate change is already degrading coral reefs globally.
Climate change is already degrading coral reefs globally. Image: Unsplash/ Francesco Ungaro
Have you read?
Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

Related topics:
OceanRestoring ocean lifeBeyond the ocean
Share:
World Economic Forum logo
Global Agenda

The Agenda Weekly

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

Subscribe today

You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. For more details, review our privacy policy.

A round-the-world boat race could change how we research ocean biodiversity

Gemma Parkes

September 21, 2023

About Us

Events

Media

Partners & Members

  • Join Us

Language Editions

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

© 2023 World Economic Forum