During periods of warming-induced stress, the coral polyps shrink inward only to reemerge years later and revitalize dead colonies.

The rapid changes seen at Earth’s poles could impact every corner of the globe, panelists said at a 16 June Congressional briefing co-organized by AAAS. A related event and film screening highlighted Antarctica's increasing vulnerability to global warming, tourism, and geopolitical pressures.

Two marine scientists speaking at a AAAS panel discussion warned that humans and marine life will be forced to adapt to climate change’s effects on oceans already left vulnerable by over-fishing and pollution.

While mitigation efforts reducing greenhouse gas emissions are important, the speakers stressed that the world has already committed itself to decades of climate change, some of which is already underway.