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Year after year, alerts have stacked: what humanity lets this jewel of nature is unforgivable
Researchers fromAustralian Institute of Marine Science have just made an alarming discovery: the cover of the corals of the large barrier has dropped significantly. This new wave of degradation, fueled by a record marine heat last year, marks the sixth massive whitening crisis since 2016. But what does this phenomenon really hide? And what does this mean for the future of this natural treasure unique in the world?
But in recent years, this paradise has been in serious danger. And today more than ever.
An unprecedented ecological disaster
The large barrier is faced with a more devastating than ever phenomenon: laundering of corals. And the last report of theAustralian Institute of Marine Science still pulled the bellbell alarm.
In 2024, a wave of heatheat Marine caused massive losses throughout the reefs. So much so that she has caused the sixth episode of massive whitening since 2016.
The laundering of corals occurs when too high water temperatures disrupt the symbiosis between corals and microalgae, zooxanthelleszooxanthelles. Ces algaealgaeessential to the survival of corals, are driven by heat, which deprives corals of their brilliant color and their main source of food.
Although whitening does not immediately kill corals, it makes them vulnerable to diseases and slows their regeneration. If it stressstress persists, it is guaranteed death.
The Great Barrier Reef has suffered its worst coral bleaching on record. The 2024 event was the 5th mass bleaching since 2016 — part of an ongoing global crisis. As we sail past 1.5C is there really any way back for the cradles of marine life… pic.twitter.com/SQGODPRzPV
– Peter Lady (@pgdynes) August 5, 2025
« In 2025, the coral coverage decreased considerably throughout the Large coral barrierLarge coral barrieralthough an important coral coverage remains in the three regionsannounces the report. Regional declines varied between 14 % and 30 % compared to the 2024 levels, certain individual reefs having undergone reductions of up to 70.8 %. It is one of the greatest losses ever recorded in 39 years of surveys.
A global crisis that affects all coral reefs
The situation of the Grande Barrier is only the emerged part of the iceberg. Worldwide, more than 83 % of coral reefs were affected by thermal stress, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). And the year 2024 broke heat records in the oceans, further accentuating the threat to these ecosystemsecosystems already fragile.
THE coral reefscoral reefs are crucial for marine biodiversity, housing 25 % of the world’s marine species. But the global warmingglobal warming Accelerated threatens to erase them at a scary pace. If we do not react quickly, these irreplaceable ecosystems could disappear under our eyeseyes.
[????] The whitening leads to the death of #Coraux. With global warming these episodes are more and more frequent. But they suddenly become fluorescent. A final form of defense, they form a kind of sunscreen! #futuraplanete #planete pic.twitter.com/ndho4u26qd
— Futura (@futurasciences) May 31, 2020
What future for corals?
Coral reefs play a crucial role in marine biodiversity, housing at least 25 % of the world’s marine species. However, this wealth is threatened by the acceleration of climate change.
If nothing is done on a large scale to permanently protect these ecosystems, the corals may disappear at a disturbing pace. To preserve them, experts call for an immediate reduction in programsprograms global of greenhousegreenhouse.
We still have a chance to save this natural treasure, but this chance decreases as the temperature of the oceans continues to climb. The sustainable management of coral reefs, reducing pollution and local catering initiatives throughout the year are measures that can offer a chance to save this natural treasure.
