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2026: The Year Coral Reefs Could Vanish?
6 Jan
Summary
- Coral reefs face irreversible collapse by 2026 due to climate change.
- Ocean warming and El Niño cycles threaten widespread coral bleaching events.
- Urgent action needed: cut emissions, reduce local stressors, and breed heat-tolerant corals.
Marine ecosystem expert Dr. Samantha Garrard warns that 2026 may witness the irreversible collapse of coral reefs globally. This crisis is driven by human-caused climate change, which continues to warm ocean waters to critical levels. Over the past decade, an estimated 30 to 50 percent of the world's coral reefs have already been lost.
The world's coral populations are teetering on the edge of a 'tipping point.' Recent El Niño cycles have caused extensive coral bleaching, and another is anticipated in 2026. Scientists fear that reefs may not recover from this next severe heat exposure, potentially sealing the fate of even the most resilient species.
To prevent this catastrophe, aggressive carbon emission reductions are vital to cool ocean waters. Additionally, reducing local pressures such as pollution and overfishing, alongside incorporating selective breeding of heat-tolerant corals into restoration plans, are crucial steps to enhance reef resilience.
