<P> Above - average sea water temperatures caused by global warming is the leading cause of coral bleaching . According to the United Nations Environment Programme , between 2014 and 2016 the longest recorded global bleaching events killed coral on an unprecedented scale . In 2016 , bleaching of coral on the Great Barrier Reef killed between 29 and 50 percent of the reef 's coral . In 2017 , the bleaching extended into the central region of the reef . The average interval between bleaching events has halved between 1980 and 2016 . </P>
<P> Above - average sea water temperatures caused by global warming is the leading cause of coral bleaching . According to the United Nations Environment Programme , between 2014 and 2016 the longest recorded global bleaching events killed coral on an unprecedented scale . In 2016 , bleaching of coral on the Great Barrier Reef killed between 29 and 50 percent of the reef 's coral . In 2017 , the bleaching extended into the central region of the reef . The average interval between bleaching events has halved between 1980 and 2016 . </P>
what is the main cause of coral reef bleaching
what is the main cause of coral reef bleaching
Above - average sea water temperatures caused by global warming
Above - average sea water temperatures caused by global warming