Corals are severely bleaching five times as often as in 1980

Warming tropical waters are largely responsible, researchers say

coral reef

COLORLESS  Bleaching removes the algae that feed corals and give them their color, turning vibrant reefs barren. Reefs are now experiencing severe bleaching much more frequently than four decades ago.

Kristen Brown/ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Corals are in hot water.