Reef resolution urgently needed in Malaysia

Sensitive to temperature change, corals turn into a lifeless bony white colour when seawater gets too warm. This 'bleaching' can lead to death, especially in marine heatwaves. — AFP

We live in a country with exceptionally rich natural resources: Malaysia's rainforest and coral reefs are among the oldest and most diverse in the world. But how long we’ll have them is a question that vexes me, especially when it comes to the reefs.

Over the next decade, a lot of coral reefs will die due to marine waters warming with climate change. Sensitive to temperature change, corals turn into a lifeless bony white colour when seawater gets too warm. This “bleaching” can lead to death, especially in marine heatwaves.