Our blue commons is in crisis, and coral may be among the first victims. Reports produced by 160 scientists confirm that 84% of the world’s coral reefs have suffered the worst bleaching event in history.

Since 1998, there have been four major global bleaching events. In the period 2014-2017, two-thirds of all reefs were devastated. Now, the most recent bleaching event, begun in 2023, has damaged 84%, confirmed by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI).

ICRI) launched at the 1994 Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity now leads scientists from 100 countries in the quest to save coral. Why is coral so important?

Did you know that 25% of all marine species live on or near coral reefs? Some refer to coral reefs as ‘rainforests of the sea’ because of their role as habitat for diverse species. Because of the number of fish that visit coral reefs, these areas draw larger fish, helping to nourish marine species. Fishing industry economics depend upon coral environments.

Another economic benefit of coral reefs? Eco-tourism. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia contributes tourism revenues of A$6 billion annually. Moreover the reef and its associated activities employ 64,000 people welcoming over 2 million visits annually. There are some concerns about overtourism: there are now regulations governing anchoring, boat charters, and tourism platforms.

Finally, coral reefs protect coastlines, acting as buffers and breakwaters from storms. Waves wash over these living structures and dissipate, reducing the impact on nearby coastal areas.

The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network reports that this coral bleaching event, the worst in history, is directly related to warming ocean waters. Algae that live inside coral, and give the reefs their spectacular colors, are a food source of coral. Sustained warmth triggers algae’s release of toxins. Corals then reject the algae, with with nothing to eat, soon wither and die. The present global bleaching event is so severe that the Coral Reef Watch program, a department within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), had to add new levels to its measurement system.

But, in the midst of all this bad news, there is a ray of hope. Coral can regenerate. Here are some spots of hope, to reference Dr. Sylvia Earle who advocates saving the ocean environment by preserving “hope spots.” Similarly, the High Seas Treaty contains provisions for marine protected areas (MPA). Can coral be saved, and in turn help to renew our blue commons?

Coral Restoration Foundation – planting and nurturing coral species in underwater nurseries allows coral to grow in ideal conditions. Using a breakthrough method called asexual reproduction, coral technologists can start with tiny pieces and nurture them to grow as big as a soccer pitch or football field in just one year. CRF calls the nursery facility the “Coral Tree.” Then, 75% of the new coral is harvested to replant in distressed reefs to spur the renewal process. The other 25% remans in the nursery to begin the process again. Located in Florida in Tavernier, near Key Largo, the Coral Restoration Foundation grew and restored 20,000 corals in 2024. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is the third largest barrier reef in the world. There are now over 1000 “Coral Trees” in three designs: Acroporid, Spiral, and Mega. Soon, CRF will launch nurseries in Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Jamaica, Mustique, and St. Lucia.

CRF collaborates with The Reef Institute in West Palm Beach and the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, USA. Other coral protection and regeneration centers may include the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Reef Research Centre, Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and Queensland’s “Reef 2050 Plan.”

But just because coral can regenerate does not solve the problem. If new coral are planted in a distressed reef, no magic renewal will be sustainable unless the conditions causing the problem are also relieved. That means taking actions on ocean acidification and climate warming that is raising ocean temperatures. But coral larvae can help and ultimately may hold the answers we seek to save the oceans.

As the High Seas Treaty states, biological diversity is the key to preserving our blue commons. Because coral reefs are the foundation of marine ecosystems, they determine the state of the ocean and the state of life on the entire planet, which depends upon the ocean. Preserving, and regenerating, coral should be our first step in protecting marine health and renewing the world. See below, as observed by Copernicus satellite system, regenerating coral on the Great Barrier Reef. It is possible: can we act in time?

Advancing Earth and Space Sciences (AGU). “Warming Acidic Oceans May Nearly Eliminate Coral Reef Habitats by 2100.” 17 February 2020. https://news.agu.org/press-release/warming-acidic-oceans-may-nearly-eliminate-coral-reef-habitats-by-2100/

CNN. “Visiting Florida’s art-ificial reef trail.” 23 October 2025. VIDEO. https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/23/world/video/call-to-earth-florida-coral-reef-art-c3e-spc

Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL). https://coral.org

Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF). https://coralrestoration.org

Coral Reefs of the High Seas Coalition. https://highseasalliance.org

Gray, Jennifer. “Nurseries bring coral reefs back to life.” 7 July 2025. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/07/us/coral-reef-restoration-florida-keys

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au

International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI). https://icriforum.org/about/

Building the World Blog by Kathleen Lusk Brooke and Zoe G. Quinn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 U