“There’s not another Earth system that affects all of life as profoundly as the ocean.”

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

During a visit to Washington, D.C. last weekend, I made a swing through the Museum of Natural History. They have an exhibit on the ocean, with a big focus on the impact of climate change. I was drawn to the section on coral reefs because the topic was already on my mind; I had just read this article, and planned to tell you about it today. Serendipitous!

What exactly is coral bleaching?

Healthy reefs are bright and colorful because of the algae living inside. But when the ocean temperatures are too high, corals force the algae out, leaving behind a ghostly skeleton. Bleached corals aren’t necessarily dead, but they are weakened and vulnerable. And if the temperatures stay too high, they won’t survive.

Coral reefs are in jeopardy

The gist of the latest news is, since 2023 we have been in the middle of the worst coral bleaching event in history. The International Coral Reef Initiative – a global partnership to preserve them – just announced that 84% of the world’s coral reefs are in jeopardy.

Why is this happening?

Because of human-caused climate change, excess heat and heat-trapping gases from the atmosphere are absorbed by the ocean. The ocean has been running a fever for the past few years, and hotter water is the biggest threat to our reefs.

Why we should all care about coral bleaching?

If you’re reading this and thinking “I don’t snorkel or scuba dive, so this really doesn’t concern me”, I have some news. The health of coral reefs impact everyone. For starters, these “rainforests of the sea” support 25% of all marine life. Additionally, reefs are critical for food, jobs, tourism, coastline protection, and the global economy.

What can we do?

Experts are scrambling to save as many types of coral as possible. One strategy is to remove some, and nurse them back to health. Scientists are also working on IVF for corals. These ideas are great, but they’re last-ditch efforts, and can’t come close to replacing all the natural reefs on the planet. The best solution is to prevent more loss.

Everything we do to help reduce heat-trapping emissions also protects coral reefs. Once emissions drop, air and ocean temperatures will begin to normalize. Until that point, reefs all over the world are at risk. And so are the humans they support.

Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Talk about it. Help solve it.