WASHINGTON: Research shows that water temperatures around Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have risen to their highest in 400 years over the last decade, putting the world’s largest reef in danger.

The Great Barrier Reef, the largest living ecosystem on Earth, stretches over 2,400 km along Queensland’s coast. Scientists from various Australian universities drilled into the coral to study ocean temperatures dating back to 1618. By analysing coral samples and using data from ships and satellites, they discovered that ocean temperatures were stable for centuries but began rising around 1900 due to human activities.

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The study found that from 1960 to 2024, ocean temperatures increased by an average of 0.12°C per decade between January and March. Since 2016, the reef has suffered five mass coral bleaching events, where large areas of coral turn white due to heat stress, increasing the risk of death. These events occurred during five of the six hottest years in the past 400 years.

Benjamin Henley, a researcher from the University of Melbourne and one of the study’s authors, expressed his sadness, calling the loss of the reef a tragedy. The most recent temperature data, from January to March 2024, was the highest on record, surpassing all previous years.

Coral reefs, like the Great Barrier Reef, protect shorelines from erosion, provide habitats for many species of fish, and are vital to tourism. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that at least 54 countries have experienced mass coral bleaching since February 2023 due to warming ocean waters.

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Although UNESCO has not yet listed the Great Barrier Reef as endangered, the UN has recommended adding it. Australia has lobbied to keep the reef off the endangered list, as it contributes US$4.2 billion to the economy each year. Environmental groups argue that Australia needs to take stronger action to reduce emissions and protect this natural treasure.