Evan Bush is a science reporter for NBC News. He can be reached at [email protected].
Extreme ocean heat is causing a mass bleaching event in coral reefs across the globe, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
on Monday declared that a “4th global coral bleaching event” was taking place and that bleaching had been documented over the last 14 months in every major ocean basin, including off Florida in the United States, in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and in the South Pacific.
’s Coral Reef Watch Program, in a news release. “When these events are sufficiently severe or prolonged, they can cause coral mortality, which hurts the people who depend on the coral reefs for their livelihoods.” Sea surface temperatures have set daily records for more than a year, which has prompted concerns among scientists who are trying to untangle how the oceans got so hot, so quickly.
. Corals are critical ecosystems that support a vast array of fish and aquatic species, which help feed coastal communities and attract tourists. The economic value of reefs is estimated at $2.7 trillion per year, according to a 2020 report from the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network. “They protect our coastline. They offer protection from storms and hurricanes. They have a great value for our economy and safety,” Palacio said.
’s Climate Prediction Center estimates there is a 60% chance La Niña develops this summer, which could help cool Atlantic waters and allow some corals to recover, at least temporarily. “This is quite heartbreaking and it’s going to cause damage to a lot of reefs in the world,” Palacio said. “I’m hoping this bleaching event is going to create some traction and people will start caring more and paying attention to what’s happening with the climate.
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