Publication Date January 16, 2017 | Climate Central via The Guardian

Japan’s Biggest Coral Reef Devastated by Bleaching

Japan
The white tips on this coral are a reflection of "bleaching" and declining coral health. Image: Oregon State University/flickr
The white tips on this coral are a reflection of "bleaching" and declining coral health. Image: Oregon State University/flickr

Almost three-quarters of Japan’s biggest coral reef has died, according to a report that blames its demise on rising sea temperatures caused by global warming.

The Japanese environment ministry said that 70 percent of the Sekisei lagoon in Okinawa had been killed by a phenomenon known as bleaching.