The large co -ray barrier victim of a laundry record

Scientists reported “the most extensive” whitening caused by stifling oceanic temperatures in 2024 which caused “unprecedented thermal stress levels” since the first surveys. Moreover, almost 40 years ago.

The Australian Institute of Marine Sciences studied the health of 124 coral reefs within this sprawling reef. Therefore, which is often called “the largest living structure in the world”, between August 2024 and May 2025.

The results show that the southern and northern reef branches have seen the “largest annual decline” never recorded.

The reefs had been struck by tropical cyclones and star invasions crowned with thorns, a species that feeds on coral.

Climate change – Large co -ray barrier victim

But the “number one cause is climate change,” said Mike Emslie, responsible for the institute’s research. Similarly, “There is no doubt about it,” he told AFP.

The large co -ray barrier is an extent of 2,300 kilometers of tropical large co -ray barrier victim corals housing an incredible biological diversity.

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But these repeated episodes of whitening threaten to deprive this tourist attraction of its splendor. Nevertheless, making the benches of corals sold formerly rich in color with sickly white.

Exceptionally hot tropical waters have triggered a generalized whitening of corals on the large coral barrier in 2024. in the first months of 2025 – the sixth event of this type in the past nine years.

“The large co -ray barrier has experienced unprecedented thermal stress levels. causing the most extensive and severe whitening ever recorded to date,” said the Australian agency report.

“It is still worth fighting. We cannot give up and abandon, “said Emslie, for whom the big coral barrier remains an” incredible place “.

The report revealed that a type of rapidly growing coral large co -ray barrier victim – known as Acropora – was the one that. had suffered the most.

This coral grows quickly, but it is also one of the first to whiten.

Fluctuating health

Richard Leck. from the Global Fund for Nature, compared the fluctuating health of the Grande Barrière de Corail to “roller coaster”.

Mr. Leck said that certain coral reefs in the world were already beyond any recovery. warning that the great co-ray barrier could be the same fate without an ambitious and rapid climate action.

This is a sign of an ecosystem put under incredible pressure. and what greatly concerns scientists of the reefs, is when the reef does not recover as it did before, “he told AFP.

Over the past two years, massive whitening in the world has exhausted more than 80 % of the planet’s coral reefs.

Blanching occurs when water temperatures increase. forcing large co -ray barrier victim corals to expel microscopic algae known as zooxanthelles.

If high temperatures persist, corals can eventually whiten and die.

The average sea surface temperature around Australia was the “highest registered” in 2024, according to the Australian National University.

Australia is currently preparing its next cycle of programs reduction objectives. a key obligation in the context of the historic climatic agreement of Paris.

The mining superpower remains. however, one of the largest coal exporters in the world and continues to largely subsidize its fossil fuels.