Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef is facing its worst coral bleaching event since 2016, according to marine scientists at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). Warmer-than-usual ocean temperatures are stressing large sections of coral across the northern and central reef systems.
The phenomenon, largely driven by global warming and El Niño effects, threatens biodiversity and tourism, two major contributors to Queensland’s economy. More than 60% of coral reefs in surveyed areas show signs of bleaching.
Australian officials have urged the international community to treat this as a global issue. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has also expressed concern, warning that the reef could lose its protected status if no action is taken. Climate researchers in Nepal and Bhutan are using similar temperature-tracking models to study glacial melt and its impact on the Himalayan ecosystem.
