Time running out to save coral reefs, scientists say

The chance to save the world’s coral reefs from damage caused by climate change is dwindling as man-made greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, scientists said in a study released on Sunday.

Around 70 per cent of corals are expected to suffer from long-term degradation by 2030, even if strict emission cuts are enforced, according to the study.

“The window of opportunity to preserve the majority of coral reefs, part of the world’s natural heritage, is small,” said Malte Meinshausen, co-author of the report published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

“We close this window if we follow another decade of ballooning global greenhouse-gas emissions.”