Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

Stanford scientists discover a way to reverse coral bleaching at record speed

A study published in Science Advances reveals that bleached corals can fully recover within seven weeks through contact with healthy corals, opening new possibilities for restoration. The discovery could inspire the development of new methods to rapidly restore corals, which face severe threats from climate change.

SourceStanford Doerr School of Sustainability·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2026

Currents in an Arctic sea accelerate the sinking of carbon-carrying phytoplankton

In the Arctic's Chukchi Sea, ocean currents accelerate the sinking of carbon-carrying phytoplankton, with blooms under sea ice up to 10 times denser than in open water. This phenomenon helps explain the formation of benthic biomass and supports marine life in the region.

SourceStanford Doerr School of Sustainability·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Oceans·DateSep 23, 2026

Emissions from the past decade have made Europe’s recent heat waves worse

Researchers used AI and climate models to analyze the impact of past decade emissions on Europe's heat waves, finding strong evidence that emissions intensified the region's recent heat waves. The study suggests that even with successful emission reductions, extreme heat waves will continue to worsen.

SourceStanford Doerr School of Sustainability·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 22, 2026