Almost every shallow-water coral reef on the planet faces ecosystem collapse by 2075, UN advisors say

The Guardian · 10/22/2026, 12:00:45 PM

Assessment finds global heating is endangering 96% of coral reefs across 80 countries – a figure scientists say should serve as a ‘wake-up call’ Sign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter here Almost every shallow-water coral reef on the planet, including Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, faces a high risk of ecosystem collapse before 2075 because of global heating, according to an assessment by United Nations nature advisers. About 24% of the planet’s reefs across more than 80 countries are already critically endangered, the assessment said, but when the expected impacts of global heating were added this rose to 96%. Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletter Continue reading...