Coral Reefs in Peril as Climate Change Triggers Ecosystem Collapse

According to a new report by 160 researchers worldwide, global warming is crossing dangerous thresholds sooner than expected, marking the first "tipping points" in climate-driven ecosystem collapse. The report, titled the "Global Tipping Points," synthesizes groundbreaking science to estimate points of no return for various climate systems.

One of the most alarming findings is the near-irreversible die-off of the world's coral reefs. The last two years were Earth's warmest on record, with marine heatwaves stressing 84% of the world's reefs to the point of bleaching and, in some cases, death. Coral reefs sustain about a quarter of marine life, and scientists say they would need to drastically ramp up climate action to reverse temperatures back down to just 1°C above the preindustrial average for the reefs to recover.

The report also revised down the estimated threshold for the Amazon rainforest, warning that the system is now at risk of collapsing once the average global temperature warms beyond just 1.5°C. This is based on current deforestation rates in the region. The scientists also expressed concern about the potential disruption to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, a major ocean current that helps ensure mild winters in northern Europe.

Despite these dire warnings, the report did note some positive signs, such as renewables accounting for more electricity generation than coal for the first time this year. The scientists implored countries at the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil to work toward bringing down climate-warming carbon emissions and prevent further ecosystem collapse.