A fourth global coral bleaching event has recently been taking place throughout the tropics: “the Caribbean; Brazil; the eastern Tropical Pacific (including Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia); Australia's Great Barrier Reef;”(phys.org) to name a few. Coral bleaching has steadily increased throughout the years, following the trend of warmer oceans and higher “sea surface temperatures” (nbcnews.com). Coral bleaching negatively affects the ocean's ecosystem because many marine species rely on coral for shelter, spawning grounds, protection, and more. It also impacts humans: “bleached coral also compounds the overfishing crisis by removing links in the food web and depriving some fish and crustacean species of a place to spawn and develop” (worldwildlife.org). However, coral turning white doesn’t mean it’s dead; it’s a signal that the coral’s health is in danger.
If you want to read more about coral bleaching and why it’s a pressing issue:
World Wildlife Fund: What You Need to Know About Coral Bleaching and How We Can Stop It