Official statements from the United Nations Environment Programme or similar international environmental bodies

Great Barrier Reef Hit by Record Bleaching, Global Coral Crisis Worsens

Apr 15, 2024, 03:15 PM

The Great Barrier Reef is currently experiencing its most severe coral bleaching event on record, with significant damage observed as deep as 18 meters. This event marks the fifth major bleaching incident in the past eight summers, exacerbated by record-breaking ocean temperatures and high Degree Heating Weeks. Notably, this year's bleaching has affected over 60% of the reef, impacting every type of coral and leading to widespread coral mortality. The extensive damage is part of a broader global coral bleaching crisis, confirmed as the fourth such event, affecting reefs worldwide due to unprecedented ocean heat.