A cry for the oceans: coral reefs under threat at COP29

The new IUCN global coral assessment presents alarming data on the health of coral reefs: 44% of species are threatened by climate change, pollution and fishing

A grim warning about the health of our oceans has been given in Baku at the COP29 climate summit. In a new assessment, IUCN says 44% of reef-forming coral species are now at risk of extinction. This alarming number is representative of the rate at which these vital ecosystems, essential for marine biodiversity and millions of livelihoods around the world, have been declining in recent years.

In a few short years, the percentage of threatened coral species has leapt from approximately a third in 2008 to the current 44%. The main culprit? Climate change. As the temperatures rise, so do those of the oceans, which have been causing severe mass bleaching events-a phenomenon where corals expel the symbiotic algae providing them with nutrients and vibrant colors, leaving them to die away slowly.

More than warming seas: a multi-pronged attack by man Global warming, though, is not the only threat. Pollution from urban runoff, industrial activities, and intensive agriculture is poisoning waters and smothering coral reefs. Moreover, destructive fishing practices-most especially trawling-are wiping out coral habitats and degrading marine ecosystems.

“Coral reefs are under attack on all fronts,” said Beth Polidoro, coordinator of the IUCN Red List of Corals. “Immediate action must be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to address pollution and overfishing.”

Grim projections: even 1.5°F warming could spell disaster

The IUCN’s call for action comes amid stark warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC. If Earth’s warming is kept at 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, 70 to 90% of coral reefs could vanish.

“Coral reefs are a barometer of planetary health,” said Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN. “Losing them would have devastating implications for marine biodiversity, coastal economies, and the wellbeing of millions.”

Why coral reefs matter: biodiversity and livelihoods at stake

Coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots, hosting 25% of all known marine species. They also provide income for coastal communities through fishing, tourism, and recreational activities. Losing them would mean the loss of an irreplaceable natural treasure.

“Losing coral reefs means losing an irreplaceable heritage,” warns WWF through the Living Planet Report after recording the continuous destruction of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. This iconic ecosystem has been reeling from the increasingly frequent and worse episodes of bleaching.