The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org. April 12, 2024 Climate Crisis Triggers Great Barrier Reef's Worst-Ever Coral Bleaching ----------------------------------------------------------------------- In Australia, conservationists warned the Great Barrier Reef could be suffering its "most severe" coral bleaching ever. Some 75% of the reef has bleached in the fifth such event in eight years, which are increasing with global heating. Coral reefs are key to maintaining marine biodiversity as thousands of underwater creatures depend on them for survival, including fish, sea turtles, sea birds, jellyfish, among many more. They also protect coastal areas from major storm surges and provide livelihoods and nourishment for surrounding communities and beyond. .