Ships have become cleaner, with reduced sulphur in their emissions.  But the cleaner air is inadvertently harming the Great Barrier Reef, according to a new study. While fewer sulphur emissions in the air is better for human health, the tiny sulphur particles and aerosols helped shade the reef from some of the Sun’s rays.

Now the sulphur shade is waning, and that extra heat on the reef is likely exacerbating coral bleaching.

Ship fuel sulfur content regulations may exacerbate mass coral bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef – communications earth and environment January 2026

Listen to the ABC Radio National Science Show interview here