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Environment
Apr 17, 2026

2026 Could Be the Decisive Year for Saving Dying Coral Reefs, Says Jason Momoa

AI Summary
Actor and UNEP advocate Jason Momoa warns that coral reefs face near‑extinction as the planet endures its longest bleaching event. With up to 90% of reefs at risk at 1.5 °C warming, he urges immediate global action—cutting emissions, reducing plastic, supporting reef‑positive finance—and highlights a series of 2026 international gatherings that could turn the tide.

From my home in Hawai‘i, the reef is more than a backdrop—it feeds families, shields shorelines, and anchors our culture. Today that vital connection is under unprecedented threat.

Scientists report the most extensive coral‑bleaching episode ever recorded, persisting for 33 months into 2025. At a projected 1.5 °C rise in global temperatures, the IPCC warns that up to 90% of the world’s coral reefs could disappear. That temperature threshold is not a distant projection; it is looming now.

Even if climate targets are eventually met, reefs continue to be battered by plastic waste, coastal development, agricultural runoff, and overfishing. Their degradation weakens natural storm barriers, leaving coastal communities more vulnerable to floods and erosion, jeopardising homes, jobs, and cultural heritage.

In Hawai‘i we speak of kuleana—a generational duty to protect what sustains us. That principle must expand to every person on the planet: caring for reefs is caring for ourselves.

On the ground, communities in French Polynesia have shown that, when equipped with the right tools, they can actively restore damaged reefs. Likewise, my collaboration with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs and the UN Environment Programme demonstrates how targeted financing can create sustainable livelihoods, boost marine conservation, and help coastal societies rebound after extreme weather.

Time, however, is not on our side. The next twelve months could become a defining turning point for coral ecosystems. New scientific findings and a series of high‑profile gatherings—including the Kenya Ocean Conference, the International Coral Reef Symposium in New Zealand, and the upcoming Global Coral Reef Summit—will focus world attention on reef survival.

The responsibility now lies with governments, businesses, and individuals alike. Proven actions include: cutting carbon footprints, eliminating plastic leakage, protecting keystone species, supporting reef‑positive enterprises, investing in resilient coastal economies, enacting protective legislation, and amplifying public advocacy.

Moments like 2026 are not just about pledges; they are about swift, measurable change. Coral reefs cannot wait for perfect plans—they need us to act now, embodying the spirit of kuleana for the sake of our children and the ocean that sustains us.

  • Jason Momoa is an actor, filmmaker, and UNEP Advocate for Life Below Water, dedicated to protecting oceans and raising global awareness of coral‑reef conservation.