The earth has reached its first catastrophic tipping point linked to greenhouse gas emissions, with warm water coral reefs now facing a long-term decline and risking the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people, according to a new report.
Tipping points are recognised by scientists as moments when a major ecosystem reaches a point where severe degradation is inevitable.
The world’s coral reefs are home to about a quarter of all marine species but are considered one of the most vulnerable systems to global heating.
“The first tipping of widespread dieback of warm water coral reefs is already under way.”.
The report points to reefs in the Caribbean, where marine heatwaves, low diversity and disease outbreaks have pushed reefs “towards collapse”.
View image in fullscreen Experts agree that coral reefs need ‘aggressive’ action on climate change and improved local management.
The Amazon – under pressure from the climate crisis and deforestation – was closer than previously thought to reaching a tipping point, he said. »