Climate change is reshaping weather patterns and ecosystems across the globe. Dry rivers, heat waves, and melting glaciers frequently dominate international news headlines. However, warming temperatures are also causing unexpected ecological shifts deep within our oceans.
Massive blooms of brown seaweed, known as sargassum, now stretch across thousands of miles of ocean water. When these floating mats drift ashore, they decompose and release foul smells that disrupt coastal communities. What was once a localized phenomenon in the Atlantic Ocean has expanded into a recurring environmental crisis for tropical regions.
This gallery explores what sargassum is, why it's spreading, how it affects people and wildlife, and what communities are doing to fight back. Click through to learn more.