Australia, ’s Great Barrier Reef suffers major coral bleaching
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is experiencing a major coral bleaching event, confirmed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). This event is consistent with patterns of heat stress accumulated over the summer. The bleaching is extensive in shallow water areas, but in-water surveys are needed to confirm the severity and depth range of the bleaching. The bleaching is attributed to elevated sea surface temperatures driven by climate change and amplified by El Nino. This marks the fifth mass bleaching event in eight years, indicating significant pressure from climate change on the reef. Coral bleaching causes corals to expel the algae living in their tissues, turning them white, which can affect their growth and reproduction. The Great Barrier Reef contributes about A billion to the economy and supports 64,000 jobs.