Tom Di Liberto, is a climate scientist at NOAA's Climate program office, research has showed 2019 has been one hot year. The second warmest on record and the 43rd consecutive year that temperatures were above last century's average. The last six years were also the six warmest years since the 1880s. This trend is completely consistent with what we would expect in a warming world. We've got some serious reports of bleaching of coral which is what happens to coral when the water temperature around the reefs stays too hot for too long and bad things happen.

This trend has taken a global turn with bleaching showing up in places like Hawaii and the Caribbean over the last year, and Indonesia the South Pacific and along the Great Barrier Reef in years past. And just like the reaction from your true friends, this bleaching has raised some real concerns. But seriously as the reefs go so do the fish. So that means less food for people who rely on fish for protein and for the commercial fishers who count on the reefs abundance for their livelihood.

Coral reefs also form barriers to protect the shoreline from waves and storms. These same coral reefs like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, which also suffer from major bleaching recently, provide a way of life for those involved in the tourism industry. Creating jobs and pumping millions into the local economy. The bleaching in Australia along with the recent unprecedented fires make for several climate change-related extremes to hit the country in short succession.