Urgent cuts in carbon emissions are needed if Caribbean coral reefs are to survive past the end of the century, scientists have warned.

A new paper, published in the journal Current Biology, says Caribbean reef growth is already much slower than it was 30 years ago. Its authors say that without serious action on climate change, the reefs may stop growing and begin to break down within the next 20-30 years.

‘The balance between reef growth and reef erosion is changing as we alter the environment,’ says Dr Emma Kennedy of the University of Exeter, who led the study.