UN warns 90% of coral reefs could vanish with 2°C rise on World Reef Day

The UN marked World Reef Day on Sunday by calling for global action to protect marine environments.

Through its official social media channels, the UN warned that rising global temperatures are sharply increasing the risk of irreversible damage to ocean and coastal ecosystems, and that coral reefs and mangroves — both vital to marine life — are already suffering widespread degradation.

According to the UN, a 1.5-degree Celsius rise in global temperatures would wipe out 70 to 90 percent of the world's coral reefs, while a 2-degree increase would eliminate 99 percent.

The UN warned the consequences would be "catastrophic for both people and the planet."

"We can all make choices to protect the ocean and use our voices," the UN said, urging people to avoid single-use plastics and products harmful to marine ecosystems, and to take part in beach cleanups. "Every action counts."

The UN also called on the public to "Act Now" and join the "Save Our Ocean" campaign.

World Reef Day is an environmental campaign launched in 2019 by Raw Elements, an American skincare brand, and was registered that year with the National Day Calendar, a US organization that officially recognizes commemorative days.

The day was created to raise awareness about the rapid destruction of coral reefs caused by climate change, marine debris and harmful sunscreen ingredients, and to push consumers and businesses to change their behavior.

The UN's own officially designated ocean observance is World Oceans Day, held June 8.

The UN Environment Programme and other UN bodies have recently sounded loud alarms about the severity of the ongoing fourth global mass coral bleaching event.

Jason Momoa, a Hawaii-born actor serving as a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, wrote in an April op-ed for The Guardian that coral reefs are on the brink of extinction and that this year must mark a turning point. "There is no time left for blame or finger-pointing," he said. "From nations to civil society, businesses to individuals, helping ocean ecosystems survive is all of our responsibility."

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