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IUCN Lists Most Shallow Coral Reefs as Critically Endangered
· Confirmed
In Short: Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that the IUCN, in a new global assessment, classified 96 percent of the world's shallow-water coral reef systems as critically endangered, with total extinction possible by 2075.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that the IUCN, in a new global assessment, classified 96 percent of the world's shallow-water coral reef systems as critically endangered, with total extinction possible by 2075. Both outlets noted that the IUCN used the “middle-of-the-road” scenario from the UN’s panel of climate experts, projecting global temperatures rising 2.7C above pre-industrial levels by 2100.
Japantimes (Japan) and Al Jazeera (Qatar) both highlighted that the IUCN presented its findings at COP17, where governments are under pressure to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Japantimes (Japan) added that overexploitation of parrotfish and other groupers threatens 63 percent of coral reef ecosystems, while Al Jazeera (Qatar) emphasized the impact of the “super” El Nino on corals.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) reported that the IUCN’s assessment found that 96 percent of the world’s coral reef systems are critically endangered, with most famous reef systems like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Coral Triangle in the Western Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia also critically endangered. Japantimes (Japan) noted that the IUCN’s findings were based on a global assessment, which is the first of its kind.
Both Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Japantimes (Japan) agreed that corals are heat-sensitive and particularly vulnerable to human-driven climate change, which is warming the world’s oceans and increasing the frequency and intensity of damaging bleaching events. Al Jazeera (Qatar) emphasized that heat stress from climate change is the single most consistent threat driving coral reef decline worldwide.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Japantimes (Japan) both quoted Mishal Gudka, scientific lead of the IUCN Red List of Coral Reef Ecosystems assessment, who said, “The future threat of climate change is looming and severe, and that poses a very high risk to the survival of these ecosystems.” Gudka also noted that coral reefs have shown a remarkable ability to bounce back from devastating bleaching events.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) reported that when a reef collapses, hard corals disappear and are replaced by algae, rubble, and sponges. Japantimes (Japan) added that overfishing is also hurting corals as certain herbivores and predators help control algae and maintain an ecological balance.
Despite the dire warnings, Al Jazeera (Qatar) noted that the IUCN said coral reefs in most parts of the world “are not yet lost.” Gudka emphasized that pockets of surviving, resilient coral reefs can still remain in the future, so we must do everything within our reach to set them up for success.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Japantimes (Japan) both highlighted the critical role of coral reefs as sources for seafood and tourism and as buffers against coastal erosion and storms. Both outlets agreed that the collapse of coral reefs would have severe ecological and economic consequences.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Japantimes (Japan) both reported that the IUCN’s assessment found that harmful bleaching of the world’s coral had grown to include 84 percent of the ocean’s reefs, the most intense of its kind in recorded history. Both outlets agreed that the IUCN’s findings underscore the urgent need for global action to address climate change and protect coral reefs.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Japantimes (Japan) both agreed that the IUCN’s assessment highlights the importance of preserving coral reefs for future generations and the need for immediate action to mitigate the impacts of climate change on these vital ecosystems.
What's confirmed
- YEREVAN: Nearly all of the world’s shallow-water coral reefs face an extremely high risk of collapse by 2075 due to climate change, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warned Thursday.
- Corals are heat sensitive and particularly vulnerable to human-driven climate change, which is warming the world’s oceans and increasing the frequency and intensity of damaging bleaching events.
- “The future threat of climate change is looming and severe, and that poses a very high risk to the survival of these ecosystems,” said Mishal Gudka, scientific lead of the IUCN Red List of Coral Reef Ecosystems assessment.
What's still developing
- A week ago, another IUCN study in the journal Nature found that nearly 44 percent of reef-building coral species face an elevated risk of extinction due to climate change.
- Sometimes dubbed “rainforests of the sea”, they have some of the world’s richest biodiversity and support a quarter of marine species as well as coastal communities and businesses.
- Worldwide, shallow-water reefs cover around 188,000 square kilometers (73,000 square miles).
- As a result, the reef no longer supports a diverse ecosystem that can include everything from tiny invertebrates to reef fish like grouper.