Current Affairs - Environment - Discussion

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warns that almost all assessed shallow-water coral reef ecosystems face a high risk of collapse by 2075. Its first global Red List of Ecosystems assessment evaluated 127 tropical and subtropical marine ecoregions, of which 122, representing 96%, were classified as Critically Endangered. Climate-change-driven ocean warming and marine heatwaves are the leading threats, causing coral bleaching and potentially coral death. Overfishing, pollution, coastal development, and ecological imbalances also weaken reef ecosystems. Coral reefs are vital for marine biodiversity, fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection, making their conservation essential.