Coral reefs face accelerating bleaching cycles, leaving little time for recovery
Scientists warn that bleaching events are now occurring every five to six years, too fast for coral reefs to heal between episodes.
Analysis of more than 40 years of observations across 120 countries indicates that coral bleaching now happens roughly every five to six years, a pace that does not allow reefs to regenerate. Manuel Gonzalez Rivero, the study’s lead author, noted that while corals can bounce back when temperatures drop, the current frequency has effectively doubled since 2010. The 2023 event was the most extensive on record, impacting 77% of global reef systems, and a recent ocean-surface temperature peak of 21.1 °C raises the likelihood of another bleaching in 2026.
Hard coral cover has fallen 9.5% below its historical average for the 2020-2024 period, marking a steep decline after decades of stability. The findings were released as Pacific leaders convened in Palau for the Pacific Islands Forum, underscoring the urgency for coordinated climate action ahead of COP31. Researchers stress that swift emission cuts and local threat management are essential to avoid irreversible loss.
Why it matters
Coral reefs support a quarter of marine life and millions of livelihoods, so their rapid decline threatens biodiversity and coastal economies.
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