Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
24K Gold Under Eye Patches (40 Pairs) Buy Now
DEARMAY Gold Bracelets Set Buy Now
Quay Sunglasses Buy Now
OQQ Women's 2 Piece Skirts Buy Now
Polarized Retro Sunglasses Buy Now
Chiffon Muslim Head Scarf for Women Buy Now
COOFANDY Men's Wrinkle-Free Dress Shirt Buy Now
COOFANDY Men's Linen Shirt Buy Now
Cotton Military Outdoor Jackets Buy Now
Medicube Age-R Pro Glass Skin Massager Buy Now
Womens Satin Pajama Set Buy Now
Gold Bracelets for Women, 14k Stackable Bangle Cuff Buy Now
STGAubron Gaming Desktop PC Buy Now
Womens Soft Satin Pajama Set Buy Now
Women's Chiffon Blouse Buy Now
Womens V Neck Tshirt Summer Floral Tops Buy Now
ALDO Gloadithh Tote Buy Now
Men's Slim Fit One Button Blazer Buy Now
Men's Softshell Hooded Jacket Buy Now
Women's Short Sleeve Basic Slim Fit Tops Buy Now
24K Gold Under Eye Patches (40 Pairs) Buy Now
DEARMAY Gold Bracelets Set Buy Now
Quay Sunglasses Buy Now
OQQ Women's 2 Piece Skirts Buy Now
Polarized Retro Sunglasses Buy Now
Chiffon Muslim Head Scarf for Women Buy Now
COOFANDY Men's Wrinkle-Free Dress Shirt Buy Now
COOFANDY Men's Linen Shirt Buy Now
Cotton Military Outdoor Jackets Buy Now
Medicube Age-R Pro Glass Skin Massager Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
The world's coral reefs are facing another mass bleaching event — maybe the biggest ever

The world's coral reefs are facing another mass bleaching event — maybe the biggest ever

CBC
Tuesday, April 16, 2024 11:54 AM GMT

The world's oceans are experiencing another global mass coral bleaching event because of unprecedented heat, scientists at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed. 

"This is the fourth time, on record, that coral bleaching has occurred simultaneously within all major ocean basins," said Derek Manzello, ecologist and co-ordinator of NOAA's Coral Reef Watch. 

Bleaching — a ghostly discolouration, in stark contrast to vibrant colours found in reefs — can occur when corals are heat-stressed, expelling microscopic algae from within. The longer and hotter it gets, the more likely the corals will die, disrupting fragile ecosystems as well as the lives and livelihoods of people who depend on them.  

But the full extent of damage is yet to come. Manzello is seeing an increase in affected reefs every week.

"If that trend continues, this will be the most spatially expansive, global bleaching event on record — in as little as a few weeks, potentially," Manzello warned. 

Global sea surface temperatures have reached new heights in the last year, driven in part by oceans absorbing the excess atmospheric carbon from greenhouse gas emissions. 

NOAA has confirmed mass bleaching in reefs throughout the world, from Panama to the Persian Gulf to the South Pacific. Manzello says just over half of the world's reefs were affected by the current event, but it was near total in the Atlantic — a record-setting 98.5 per cent of the coral zones there experienced bleaching-level heat. 

Just last week, the Australian Marine Conservation Society raised the alarm about bleaching in the southern Great Barrier Reef, where the last global bleaching event ended up killing a third of all corals. 

Coral Reef Watch's satellite data shows that hotspots are being seen in every ocean, with Atlantic, Pacific and Indian ocean corals experiencing a range of moderate to extreme heat stress. The unprecedented ocean temperatures even forced a revision of this alert system last year — adding Levels 3 to 5, the last of which represents "risk of near complete mortality."

Rohan Arthur, a marine biologist who has extensively studied the reefs in Lakshadweep off India's southwest coast, expected this declaration.  But as he put it, darkly, "with all the enthusiasm of an undertaker measuring a corpse." 

Arthur, who is with the Nature Conservation Foundation based in Mysuru, India, has been tracking sea surface temperatures in Lakshadweep over the last year and has seen an unprecedented 1 C rise above average. The corals are starting to show it, too. 

"A mass bleaching event itself is a morbidly beautiful sight," Arthur wrote to CBC News via email, "with the reef turning every shade of pink and blue and white on its way to a surreal death."

Having spent more than 25 years looking at those reefs, including past bleaching events, Arthur feels the impending devastation in the pit of his stomach. It's a connection echoed an ocean away by Nicola Smith, assistant professor of biology at Concordia University in Montreal.

"It hits me personally when I think about these damages," said Smith, who was born and raised in the Bahamas. When these marine heat waves hit, there's little escape. 

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
PM's upcoming First Nations summit on Bill C-5 seems 'rushed,' say chiefs

More details have been shared about a summit between the federal government and First Nations chiefs planned for next week on the major projects bill, though some chiefs say plans for the summit seem as rushed as the legislation. 

Researchers retract, then re-publish study linking wildfire smoke and dementia

Last year, researchers said they had identified a link between wildfire smoke and increased risk of dementia. 

Young Inuit take to the skies in pilot training program with dreams of serving Nunavik

An enthusiastic applause greets Melissa Haney as she walks into a classroom at Iguarsivik high school in Puvirnituq, Nunavik. She was just introduced as the first Inuk woman to captain a Boeing 737. 

Could your beach reads actually be therapeutic? Bibliotherapy suggests they might

This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.

Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games postponed to 2026 due to wildfires

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games (MISG) that were scheduled to begin next week in Norway House Cree Nation, have been postponed to next year.

What is the essence of cool? A global study narrows it down to 6 key traits

Cool is cool, no matter where you are in the world.

How some students with disabilities avoid the 'transition cliff' after high school

For the past 10 months, Toronto student Danial Young rose at 6 a.m. on weekdays to attend a program vastly different from what he'd known, leaving friends and familiar teachers behind as he ventured into new spaces and was challenged to develop new skills. 

Ancient Saskatchewan archaeological site falls victim to illegal scavenging

A crucial archaeological site in Saskatchewan has become a target for illegal scavenging.

Decision to refill Lake Pisiquid coming with side-effects, say some Windsor residents

Some Windsor, N.S., residents say a two-year-old decision to close the gates of an aboiteau and keep Lake Pisiquid filled with water is unnecessary and causing other problems.

First Nations opposition to Bill C-5 draws comparisons to Idle No More movement

As more First Nations voice opposition to Bill C-5, some are drawing comparisons to the 2012 Idle No More movement. 

Islanders are being asked to help track the rare smooth greensnake this summer

If you spot a smooth greensnake in the wild on Prince Edward Island this summer, the province's Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division wants to hear from you.

News got you down? Counsellors explain why doom scrolling is so easy — and how to limit it

Western Canada glaciers melting twice as fast as in previous decade, research says; Nigerian judge convicts man of sextorting B.C. teen who died by suicide; Overdose deaths tick up to 165 in April: B.C. Coroners Service; Her husband died after a lung transplant. Now she has to sell her home to pay the bills; Gaza health authorities say Israel kills 44 waiting for aid as war's death toll passes 56,000. 

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us