🌊 Hottest Ocean Temperatures in 400 Years an 'Existential Threat' To the Great Barrier Reef, Report Finds

Summary:

1. Unprecedented Ocean Temperatures:

  • Ocean temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef are now the hottest in at least 400 years, posing a severe threat to the reef’s existence.

2. Climate Models and Fossil Fuels:

  • Research published in Nature reveals these extreme temperatures are linked to greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels, using climate models and coral skeleton analysis.

3. Urgent Need for Emission Cuts:

  • Without rapid and ambitious cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, scientists warn of the potential demise of this natural wonder. This finding follows the World Heritage committee’s recent decision not to list the reef as β€œin danger.”

Read more at: The Guardian