Global Coral Bleaching Event Reaches Alarming Levels

Bleached coral is visible at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, off the coast of Galveston, Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico, Sept. 16, 2023. Ocean temperatures that have gone “craz

Recent ocean temperature anomalies, particularly in the Atlantic, are on the verge of triggering the most extensive global coral bleaching event in history. Scientists are closely monitoring the situation, with hopes that incoming hurricanes may provide some relief by cooling the overheated waters.

Over 62.9% of the world's coral reefs are currently experiencing significant distress due to a bleaching event that commenced last year and is ongoing. This figure is approaching the previous record of 65.7% in 2017, during which a substantial portion of the world's coral perished. When water temperatures rise excessively, coral, which are living organisms, undergo bleaching and are at risk of dying.