A powerful El Niño developing in the Pacific Ocean could pose a serious threat to the world’s coral reefs, according to marine scientist David Obura, chair of the UN-backed Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
In a report published by France 24 on October 15, 2026, Obura warned that exceptionally warm ocean temperatures could push vulnerable coral species closer to extinction. El Niño is a natural climate pattern that warms parts of the Pacific and can temporarily raise global temperatures, adding further stress to marine ecosystems already affected by climate change.
Corals are particularly sensitive to prolonged heat. When ocean temperatures become too high, they can expel the microscopic algae that provide much of their food and colour, causing coral bleaching. If the heat stress continues, corals may die, threatening marine biodiversity, fisheries and coastal communities.
A major reassessment published in Nature and reported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) found that 44% of assessed reef-building coral species are threatened with extinction. Researchers warn that the assessment was based on data through 2020 and does not fully reflect the subsequent global bleaching crisis or the additional risks associated with the developing El Niño.
The warning highlights the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting vulnerable reef habitats and strengthening coral conservation efforts as ocean temperatures continue to rise.
Source & Attribution Disclaimer:
This podcast description is based on reporting by France 24 and Agence France-Presse (AFP), including the report “El Niño a 'terrifying' threat to coral reefs: UN biodiversity expert,” published October 15, 2026. Additional scientific context is drawn from the peer-reviewed journal Nature, the IUCN and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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