Great Barrier Reef hit by widespread coral bleaching

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has been hit by widespread coral bleaching (J. Sumerling/Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority via AP)

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is suffering widespread and severe coral bleaching due to high ocean temperatures two years after a mass bleaching event, a government agency said on Friday.

The report by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority, which manages the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, comes three days before a United Nations delegation is due to assess whether the reef’s World Heritage listing should be downgraded due to the ravages of climate change.