Cooling La Niña may not save Great Barrier Reef from mass coral bleaching, experts warn

With the world 1C warmer, modelling shows there is still a risk of corals bleaching from heat stress this summer

A global weather phenomenon that would typically keep ocean temperatures lower across the Great Barrier Reef may not be enough to stop another mass coral bleaching this coming summer, according to the marine park's chief scientist.

Global heating now meant the risk of corals bleaching from heat stress was present even in a summer influenced by the La Nina climate phenomenon, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's Dr David Wachenfeld told Guardian Australia.