The first global case of coral bleaching

In 1998, a mysterious phenomenon turned many of the world’s most colourful coral reefs deathly white.

It was the first recorded global coral bleaching event in history, and ecologists blamed it on rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change.

Studies showed that when the oceans get warmer, it stresses the corals, causing them to expel the algae that give them their colour, and so turn white.

Since then there have been four global bleaching events, which have destroyed up to 20% of the world’s reefs, and threatened the economy, tourism and livelihoods of more than 30 countries.

Marine ecologist Clive Wilkinson worked as co-ordinator for the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, based in Queensland, Australia. He tells Jane Wilkinson how the first reports of the phenomenon caused shockwaves in 1998.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: Reef in Trat, Thailand, damaged by coral bleaching. Credit: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images)