Scientists Sound the Alarm: Record Ocean Heat Puts the Great Barrier Reef in Danger

The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing devastating coral bleaching due to the highest sea temperatures in 400 years, driven by human-induced climate change, with scientists calling for urgent global action.

New research indicates the Great Barrier Reef is under critical pressure, with warming sea temperatures and mass coral bleaching events threatening to destroy the remarkable ecology, biodiversity, and beauty of the world’s largest coral reef. The study, led by University of Wollongong (UOW) Honorary Fellow and University of Melbourne Lecturer Dr. Benjamin Henley, provides new evidence of the impact that rising sea surface temperatures have had and will continue to have, on Australia’s ecological jewel.