America Braces For Consequences As Global Climate Threshold Finally Breaks

Since 2023, over 80% of the globe’s reefs have endured the most severe bleaching event to date. Once vibrant underwater ecosystems are now transforming into stark, lifeless zones. Underlying this crisis is a deep-rooted historical context. In 1966, my parents, faced with a legal barrier in Maryland, relocated west, ultimately settling in Monterey County, California, where the Hovden Cannery's closure in 1973 signified the end of an era. This site eventually became the Monterey Bay Aquarium, emblematic of loss and restoration.As a young guide at the aquarium in 1985, I discovered the ocean’s nurturing power. Despite its potential for recuperation, current scientific findings reveal an alarming reality: coral reefs, essential to marine biodiversity and human livelihood, are in irreversible decline. The lessons from the past remind us that without immediate action, vital ecosystems may vanish, triggering dire consequences for humanity, particularly in food security and climate stability. The urgent need for effective global strategies at upcoming summits cannot be overstated.