The most comprehensive study of the health of the world's coral reefs to date shows that warming temperatures driven by the human-caused climate crisis wiped out a staggering 14% of the diverse underwater ecosystems between 2009 and 2018 — a trend that's likely to continue without urgent action.

Conducted by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) and released Tuesday, the detailed report stresses that "the greatest threat" to coral reefs is "warming waters brought about by human activities." From 2009 to 2018, the report notes, "the increasing frequency and geographic extent of mass coral bleaching events" — many which are driven by rising ocean temperatures — "have prevented coral cover from recovering."

The study, which draws on data collected by more than 300 scientists at 12,000 sites around the world, also pointed to "other local pressures such as overfishing, unsustainable coastal development, and declining water quality" as factors contributing to the loss of coral reefs in recent years.

Read the full article about coral reef health by Jake Johnson at EcoWatch.