Rising ocean temperatures are causing widespread coral bleaching, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This phenomenon can be observed all over the world, now for the fourth time, writes A BBC.
Bleaching occurs when coral is stressed. This suggests that coral is dying, even though coral reefs support ocean life, fisheries, and generate trillions of dollars in revenue each year.
It looks beautiful, but it dies in the process
Ocean temperature records have been broken in recent months, but this is the first global evidence of how this is affecting marine life. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has confirmed that coral reefs are experiencing mass stress in all oceans (including the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans), following weeks of reports from scientists around the world.
Bleached coral looks beautiful in photos, but scientists who dive into the ocean to examine coral reefs say it's clear the coral is sick and dying up close.
Scientists in the US, Australia, Kenya and Brazil told BBC News they were shocked and even angry at how warming oceans would threaten or destroy the coral reefs they love.
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