cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/21764216

Aquatic life from coral reefs to fish in the Thailand’s eastern gulf coast is suffering as sea surface temperatures hit record highs this month amid a regional heatwave, worrying scientists and local communities.

The once vibrant and colourful corals, about five metres (16 feet) underwater, have turned white in a phenomenon known as coral bleaching, a sign that their health was deteriorating, due to higher water temperatures, scientists say.

Sea surface temperatures in the Eastern Gulf of Thailand reached 32.73°C (90.91°F) earlier this month while underwater readings are slightly warmer, with dive computers showing around 33°C, data shows.

If water temperatures do not cool, more coral will die, Lalita said.

“It’s global boiling, not just global warming,” she said.

  • mozz@mbin.grits.dev
    13·
    6 months ago

    If water temperatures do not cool, more coral will die, Lalita said.

    The fuck do you mean “if”

    We could stop all our carbon emissions today — all of them — and the feedback loops that are already underway would play out and keep everything getting hotter for at least a decade, whether or not that’s survivable for the coral or the fish or the crops we eat or the human body itself.

    As it is, though, we’re still pouring more gasoline on the fire. Don’t say “if” like it’s not defined what’s in store for them.