WHEN Dr Edi Rudi, a researcher from Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, dived in Sabang Island waters in the middle of last year, he already observed colorful corals there, presenting a gorgeous view. However, several weeks ago, when he returned to the tip of the Andaman Sea, the coral reefs were fading. The coral beauty was gone, leaving only pale white reefs.

Edi was flabbergasted. The bleaching was very extensive. “It mostly happened [in th