The world’s best-known coral reefs could be extinct by the end of the century unless we do more to make them resilient to our warming oceans.
That’s the stark message from UNESCO, which is behind an emergency bid to protect these natural marine wonders, 29 of which are on the agency’s protected World Heritage list.
Our oceans are getting warmer because of increasing global carbon dioxide emissions.
The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) data, also confirmed that States must reduce carbon emissions drastically, to meet the targets under the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Most coral reefs face many other pressures, from pollution to overfishing and habitat destruction.
UNESCO’s plan, along with partners, is to reduce these threats and to strengthen the sustainable management of fragile marine reefs by supporting local communities.