Climate change: 96% of coral reefs classified as "critically endangered" within fifty years

The IUCN warns that nearly all shallow-water coral reefs face an extremely high risk of extinction by 2075 due to climate change. In its first global assessment, 96% of coral reefs across over 80 countries are classified as critically endangered. Coral ecosystems, which host a quarter of marine species, are particularly vulnerable to rising ocean temperatures and bleaching events. Despite the alarming risk of collapse, some reefs have shown remarkable recovery abilities. The assessment highlights the urgent need for decisive action against climate change to give corals a chance to recover. Current global commitments suggest a potential temperature rise of 2.6°C this century, emphasizing the critical need for ambitious emission reductions and conservation efforts.