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Staghorn coral bleaching

UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre released the first ever assessment about the impacts of climate change to World Heritage coral reefs and the findings are alarming. According to Dr. Mechtild Rossler, Director of the World Heritage Centre, “The 29 globally significant coral reefs on UNESCO’s World Heritage List are facing existential threats, and their loss would be devastating ecologically and economically. These rainforests of the sea protect coastal communities from flooding and erosion, sustain fishing and tourism businesses, and host a stunning array of marine life.”

The assessment predicts that if carbon emissions aren't drastically reduced all 29 World Heritage coral reefs are in danger of disappearing by 2100. The assessment estimates the social economic and cultural value to be $1 trillion. The last three years have had record temperature highs, and caused bleaching of 72% of the World Heritage coral reefs. 

Read more here.