Coral reefs have long been losing their color due to bleaching, but a recent uptick has caused nearly all of the world's reefs to be damaged. A record-breaking amount of marine life fell victim to the bleaching, and scientists say the effects may be irreversible.

The impacts of warming global temperatures are having a catastrophic effect on the planet's coral reefs, a new report has concluded. Released Wednesday, the findings from the International Coral Reef Initiative revealed that 84% of the world's coral reefs have been impacted by a bleaching event that started in 2023 and remains ongoing.