The primary driver of coral reef degradation is climate change, which leads to increased sea surface temperatures and ocean acidification. These changes can result in coral bleaching, where stressed corals expel the symbiotic algae they rely on for nutrition, leading to widespread mortality. Additionally, other factors such as pollution, overfishing, and coastal development further exacerbate the degradation of coral ecosystems. Protecting coral reefs requires addressing these multiple stressors and implementing conservation strategies to enhance their resilience against ongoing climate impacts.