05/16/2022 – 90 percent of the Great Barrier Reef affected by coral bleaching
Terrifying images from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia – 90 percent of the reef has been affected by coral bleaching and only appears white and drab.
The reason: Climate change has been causing temperatures of almost 50 degrees Celsius in Australia since December, which is also affecting the sea. The reef is stressed when the water temperature is too high, which means that the algae that live in the coral and make it colourful, are shed. An Australian government report found that out of 719 reefs surveyed, 654 were affected by the bleaching. Moderately affected corals can recover, but more severely bleached corals have a high mortality rate.