One-Third of World's Coral Reefs May Survive Climate Change, Study Finds
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Mombasa, Kenya: Around one-third of the world's coral reefs could withstand major ocean warming events, according to a new study presented at the Our Ocean Conference in Kenya, offering a more hopeful outlook for coral ecosystems than previous forecasts.
Researchers identified about 166,000 square kilometres of "climate-resilient" reefs that are capable of surviving, adapting to or recovering from heat stress. The study suggests there may be far more resilient reefs globally than previously known.
More than half of these reefs are located in Australia, the Bahamas, Cuba, Indonesia and the Philippines. However, only 28 percent are currently under active protection.
Scientists said the findings highlight the importance of protecting resilient reef areas, while stressing that cutting carbon emissions remains critical as climate change continues to pose the greatest threat to coral reefs worldwide.
Pic Credit: AFP
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