Coral reef science must adapt to have a chance to outpace climate change
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 3-May-2026 01:16 ET (3-May-2026 05:16 GMT/UTC)
Scientists call for a major acceleration in coral assisted evolution research to help reefs cope with rapidly warming oceans.
New research from Flinders University warns the world has already exceeded Earth’s sustainable capacity, with today’s 8.3 billion people far beyond the roughly 2.5 billion the planet can support. The study shows population growth and consumption are driving climate instability, resource depletion, and escalating global risk. Lead author Professor Corey Bradshaw says humanity is “pushing the planet harder than it can possibly cope,” but slowing population growth and cutting consumption could still avert crisis.