Coral reef cold facts

SHOULD global warming reach 1.5C, almost all the coral reefs in the world will feel the effects of hotter ocean temperatures, according to Aussie and international researchers.

Currently, about 84 per cent of the world’s coral reefs are in locations where local ocean dynamics like upwelling and strong currents shelter them from the dangers warmer ocean temperatures pose.

Should the world reach that threshold, the researchers say just 0.2 per cent of coral reefs would still be protected in these refuges.