‘We’ve bred corals to better tolerate lethal heatwaves’

Scientists have successfully bred corals that can better survive heatwaves caused by climate change. This selective breeding improves their heat tolerance within just one generation, providing hope for coral reef conservation, especially during mass bleaching events. However, the increased resilience of these corals is still not enough to address the severity of future marine heatwaves. Alongside breeding efforts, reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains crucial for protecting coral reefs and allowing these natural adaptations to work.