"Florida's Coral Reefs: Urgent Rescue Mission Needed as Heat Turns Them Ghostly White"

Coral reefs in Southwest Florida are being devastated by extreme heat, with surface temperatures reaching over 100 degrees in July. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that 90% of the reef structure has been lost since the 1980s. Coral restoration efforts offer some hope, but the ongoing marine heat wave has caused significant bleaching, leading to the death of many coral colonies. The loss of coral coverage will have long-term consequences for the local ecosystem, including increased vulnerability to rising sea levels and more powerful storms. Reefs, which cover less than 1% of the ocean, are crucial habitats for 25% of marine species.