reef

Coral reefs make up just 1 percent of ocean coverage, but host a quarter of all life in the sea.

Coral reefs are experiencing bleaching events so frequently that they no longer have time to recover before the next one strikes, scientists have warned.

Global coral cover is now well below ⁠normal levels and at risk of irreversible decline, the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) said in a report released on Monday.

“If we give them enough time, they ‌have the capacity to recover,” lead author Manuel Gonzalez Rivero said. “But we haven’t seen that amount of time being allowed. In fact, the frequency of those bleaching events has pretty much doubled.”

Bleaching occurs when corals expel the colourful algae living in their tissues. Without this algae, they become vulnerable to starvation and disease. Bleached coral are not dead, but they need time in cooler water to recover.

“We had 40 years of coral cover around the world that had remained relatively unchanged until 2010,” said Gonzalez Rivero, a scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science. “Since 2010, there has ⁠been a very steep change.”

The latest bleaching in 2023 was the most extensive on record, impacting 77 percent of the world’s coral reef areas.

Rivero warned that another such event is “very likely” this year given elevated temperatures globally.

Coral reefs are critical barometers for global ocean health, supporting more than 25 percent of all marine life despite covering less than 1 percent of the ocean floor.

The GCRMN’s warning came as organisers of the annual Pacific Islands Forum announced that at least five leaders of the 18-nation group will skip the group’s summit.

The forum has been touted for decades as a symbol of regional unity, and is used to discuss pressing matters facing Pacific states, including climate change and ocean health.

A woman has shared a video of her trip to a charming seaside town, where she said ‘time slowed down’ and visitors feel like they’ve stepped back in time

One Norfolk spot is one of those classic British seaside towns that has managed to hold on to its old-school charm. Set on the North Norfolk coast, it offers far more than just a day at the beach, with historic attractions, independent shops, local food and plenty of scenic walks.

A surprising attraction in Sheringham is hidden beneath the waves. The Cromer Shoal Chalk Reef, which runs along the coast just offshore, is described by North Norfolk tourism authorities as the longest chalk reef in the world, stretching for around 20 miles.

Sheringham sits along the coastline, just an hour’s drive north of Norwich.

At first glance, it might seem fairly ordinary, with a population of just 7,100 residents, according to the 2021 census. But most visitors quickly change their minds, with countless tourists claiming they feel as though they’ve stepped back in time upon arriving in this delightful town.

There’s no shortage of things to do, with an award-winning beach, breathtaking nature and parks to explore, as well as local and military museums to visit, reports the Express.

A traditional seaside beach

Sheringham’s Blue Flag beach is a big draw, with a long promenade, colourful beach huts and plenty of space to enjoy the coastline.

At low tide, patches of sand appear between the pebbles, while the rocky shoreline is ideal for rock pooling. The town has a much more traditional seaside feel than some of Britain’s busier resorts, with fishing boats, cafés and independent shops lining the streets rather than rows of large amusement attractions.

Ride a steam train

One of Sheringham’s best-known attractions is the North Norfolk Railway, also known as the Poppy Line.

The heritage railway runs between Sheringham and Holt, taking passengers through the Norfolk countryside on restored historic trains. With its old-fashioned stations and steam locomotives, it’s a particularly appealing way to see the surrounding area and adds to the town’s nostalgic charm.

A fishing town at heart

Sheringham’s roots can be traced back to its days as a fishing village, and that heritage is still visible today. Small fishing boats continue to operate from the town’s slopes, with crab and lobster among the catches associated with the area.

For anyone wanting to find out more about the town’s past, Sheringham Museum is well worth a visit. Its collections explore everything from fishing and farming to local life and the lifeboat service, alongside fossils and prehistoric discoveries from the surrounding coastline.

Taking to TikTok, one woman decided to share her experience of visiting the charming coastal town, describing it as a place ‘where time slowed down’.

“Sheringham – a cosy seaside town where time slows down. Colourful cottages, fresh sea breeze, and the sound of waves – it’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer,” she wrote in the caption of the video.

She went on to post her clip, which opened with a woman, dressed in a blue dress and wearing a sunhat, strolling along the platform at the train station. The footage was filmed from inside a vintage train, which immediately created the sensation of having stepped back in time.

The TikTok creator went on to share brief clips from their visit to Sheringham, highlighting the delightful high street decorated with colourful bunting strung above, before capturing a procession of older women dancing and parading through the town centre.

They then shifted their focus to the beach, where visitors were enjoying the scenery and taking part in various activities in the blue waters, despite the grey skies above.

Viewers were quick to rush to the comments section to share their thoughts, with many expressing their joy at how peaceful and beautiful the Norfolk town looked.

“I love Britain one of my favourite countries,” one person wrote.

Another viewer said: “This is not just a video. It’s like opening up to a brand new dimension of extraordinary power!”