More than 40 percent could become extinct and 'the world relies on them'

Coral reefs are home to about 30 percent of the world's marine creatures and support the livelihoods of approximately one billion people. These ancient, rich ecosystems are threatened by climate change and rising ocean temperatures. Corals and their accompanying organisms prefer stable thermal conditions, and many of them cannot cope with a rapidly changing environment.

Researchers working under the aegis of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) analyzed the state of warm-water reef-forming corals. The report presented during the UN COP29 summit shows how endangered these beneficial organisms are.

According to the updated Red List of Threatened Species, 44 percent of warm-water reef-forming coral species are at risk of extinction. This is a significant increase compared to the previous update of the Red List in 2008 – 33 percent of organisms belonged to this group. Animals are threatened by increased water temperatures, pollution, hurricanes and increasingly common diseases.

“These results are very concerning,” said Michael Sweet of the University of Derby, a member of the research team. “Corals provide us with many benefits and our world relies on them, so it is important that we start protecting them,” he added.

Scientists have explained that the most important step towards saving corals from extinction is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some threats, such as water pollution, must be combated on a local scale. Experts also recommend further research into whether and how corals can adapt to warmer waters – research so far indicates that the degree of adaptation is limited.

'By taking action now, we can slow the rate of ocean warming and increase corals' ability to potentially adapt and survive,' said Beth Polidoro of IUCN.