Global coral reef coverage declines to 25 percent due to climate change
Story essentials
Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, Manuel González Rivero, Emily Darling
Global
August 2026
This page is produced by collecting and structuring multiple public reports. Sections based only on reporting or testimony affect the displayed assessment, and the page is updated when new information is identified.
About this article
COMPAMIR Editorial Team
The COMPAMIR editorial team brings together public reporting and links to the original coverage. We update the page as new information emerges.
Read our editorial policy- Earlier version 18/31/2026, 12:00:52 PM
A new global report indicates that hard coral coverage has dropped to approximately 25 percent. Frequent marine heatwaves and bleaching events are preventing recovery. Experts warn that the upcoming El Niño could further devastate already stressed reef ecosystems.
Read next
Prioritized by shared people, places, and events.
Increased frequency of strong El Niño events linked to climate change
Palaeoclimatological research indicates strong El Niño events are occurring more frequently than in the millennium prior to the Industrial Revolution. Coral skeleton analysis from the Galapagos Islands suggests a clear trend linked to human-generated greenhouse gas emissions. Climate models project this trend will continue, leading to more frequent global temperature surges and weather disruptions.