14 October, 2025
Web desk
A major new scientific report warns that the planet has entered a dangerous “new reality,” crossing its first climate tipping point the mass death of coral reefs. The study, compiled by more than 160 scientists, found that rising global temperatures, fueled by human activity and fossil fuel use, have pushed coral ecosystems beyond their limits. Since 2023, more than 80% of reefs have suffered bleaching due to record ocean heat, marking the worst event in history.
Experts say the loss of coral reefs could trigger devastating consequences for both nature and people. Reefs are home to countless marine species, protect coastal communities from storms, and contribute trillions to the global economy through fisheries and tourism. “We have now pushed coral reefs beyond what they can cope with,” said Mike Barrett from WWF UK. “Unless global warming is reversed, extensive reefs as we know them will be lost.”
The report also warns that other crucial Earth systems from the Amazon rainforest to polar ice sheets and ocean currents are nearing similar tipping points. One of the most alarming risks is the potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, a vast ocean current system that helps regulate global climate. Its breakdown could cause extreme weather shifts, sea-level rise, and global food disruptions.
Scientists behind the report say world leaders must act immediately to cut planet-heating emissions and speed up the shift to clean energy. While passing the 1.5°C warming limit now seems inevitable, they emphasize the need to limit further damage. “This must be a wake-up call,” Barrett said. “If we fail to act, we risk losing the natural systems that make life on Earth possible.”
