44% of reef-building corals now at risk

According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 44% of reef-building coral species are now at risk of global extinction. This assessment evaluates 892 warmwater coral species and shows a notable increase in risk from 33% in the last assessment 16 years ago. The report highlights how climate change is a major threat to these corals, which are vital for human livelihoods, shoreline stability, and carbon storage. Urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect these ecosystems and secure a sustainable future.