The Great Barrier Reef has suffered its most significant coral decline in nearly four decades, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS).
The reef’s northern and southern zones recorded the steepest annual drop in hard coral cover since AIMS began monitoring the ecosystem 39 years ago. Coral loss ranged from 25% to 33%, reversing recent years of steady growth.
Mike Emslie, who leads AIMS' long-term monitoring programme, said the system is displaying signs of distress.
“We are now seeing increased volatility in the levels of hard coral cover,” he explained, adding, “This is a phenomenon that emerged over the last 15 years and points to an ecosystem under stress.”
The reef, which stretches 2,400 kilometres off Queensland's coast, is the world’s largest living structure and a critical marine habitat. It has endured five mass coral bleaching events since 2016, caused by extreme heat linked to climate change.
The 2024 bleaching episode was the most extensive ever recorded, with “high to extreme” bleaching reported across all three reef regions, AIMS said.
Despite these alarming findings, the Great Barrier Reef has not been added to UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites in danger. However, the UN body has maintained its recommendation for such a listing, citing ongoing environmental threats.
Australia, which earns A$6.4 billion ($4.2 billion) annually from reef-related tourism, has repeatedly lobbied against the designation, warning it could affect international visitor numbers.
The federal government has committed funding and introduced climate adaptation measures, but environmental groups say more aggressive action is needed to curb carbon emissions and protect the reef.
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An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
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Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
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Australia's weather bureau warned on Tuesday that an El Niño weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify in the second half of 2026, becoming one of the strongest events recorded in seven decades.
France’s parliament has formally recognised state responsibility for the use of the toxic pesticide chlordecone in Martinique and Guadeloupe, marking a significant step in addressing decades of environmental contamination and public health concerns.
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