September 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM Miami (EDT/UTC –4) | September 18, 2026, at 8:00 AM Fiji (FJT/UTC +12)
NOAA forecasts indicate that the current El Niño is likely to strengthen into a very strong event, bringing warmer-than-average ocean temperatures across many tropical reef regions. Elevated sea surface temperatures are already being observed across coral reefs in the Caribbean, Coral Triangle, Micronesia, and parts of the tropical eastern Pacific, increasing the likelihood of widespread coral bleaching in the coming months. Combined with the long-term warming trend driven by climate change, these conditions pose a significant threat to the health and resilience of coral reef ecosystems.
To mark Coral Bleaching Awareness Month, the Coral Reef Alliance, International Coral Reef Initiative, and Reef Resilience Network are hosting a special webinar to explore the latest science, regional responses, and practical solutions for addressing this growing bleaching threat.
Through a series of expert presentations, the webinar will examine the climate drivers behind this year’s elevated bleaching risk, provide a global overview of the findings from the Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2025 report, and showcase practical examples of climate adaptation and reef resilience efforts from Indonesia and the Mesoamerican Reef. The session will conclude with a panel discussion and audience Q&A, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers.
The live webinar will occur once and last for 75 minutes. A recording of the webinar will be available on the Reef Resilience Network website and YouTube channel.
This webinar is brought to you by the Reef Resilience Network, Coral Reef Alliance, and International Coral Reef Initiative, with support from the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program.
Photo © Iza Md Repin
