The largest global coral bleaching event on record is taking place now

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems, providing habitat and support for marine life. However, they are currently facing an unprecedented crisis. The ongoing global coral bleaching event poses significant threats to their survival and the biodiversity they sustain.

As of October 2024, the world is facing its largest coral bleaching event on record, impacting over three-quarters of its reef area across 74 countries.

This marks the fourth global coral bleaching event since 1998, primarily triggered by rising ocean temperatures. Heat stress causes corals to expel the algae that give them color, leading to their white appearance.

While bleached corals are not dead, they are vulnerable to starvation and disease, and their survival depends on cooler ocean temperatures.

The ocean has absorbed about 90% of the heat from greenhouse gases, with 2023 being the warmest year recorded. Scientists now believe that the critical threshold for coral survival may have been surpassed at 1.3°C of warming.

To improve resilience, experts recommend addressing stressors like pollution and overfishing. Friends of Ocean Action, a community hosted by the World Economic Forum, is mobilizing global efforts to protect coral ecosystems through its "Bring It All Together" campaign ahead of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France, in June 2025.