They See the Corals Turning White and Dying: ‘It’s Traumatic‘

12 Feb, 2026

Since 2023, the fourth global mass bleaching event affecting the world’s coral reefs has been underway. It is the most extensive and deadly one to date. 

And for those who have devoted years of their lives to try to preserve them, the devastation is difficult to cope with.

‘A relatively new term has even been coined, called “reef grief”,’ says coral reef expert Fredrik Moberg at the Stockholm Resilience Centre.

This is a special kind of grief shared by those who work with coral reefs, and which has become increasingly prevalent as the condition of the corals has deteriorated. 

Hear the coral reef experts talk about their grief, and the hope they still hold on to.

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