After accomplishing going through a mission in Australia's Great Barrier Reef, scientists concluded that the largest coral reef system in the world should be included in the list of world heritage spots that are in danger.
This was noted by CNN in a recent report. They mentioned that, in a recent UN-supported report that was recently released, scientists mentioned that the GBR was combatting serious threats brought about by the climate crisis. With that, there is a need for urgent action in order to save the reef.
Proactive Efforts Are Necessary To Save the Great Barrier Reef
According to the cited report from the UN Mission, the scientists concluded that the reef faced various risks that could threaten some of its intrinsic qualities. Hence, it should be inscribed in the list of world heritage sites that are in danger.
The report also mentioned that climate change led to great impacts on the reef's overall value, as noted by Yahoo. Unless fast, visionary, and sustainable efforts are executed, the globally celebrated beauty and biodiversity of the reef are at risk.
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Coral Bleaching and Climate Change Are Huge Threats to the Great Barrier Reef
The authors of the report mentioned that the GBR experienced suffering through various coral bleaching occurrences, including four different events that took place in the past 7 years.
In fact, the mission took place as the GBR was experiencing yet another destructive coral bleaching incident.
Coral bleaching usually takes place when unusually hot seawater sizzles the fragile coral polyps. This phenomenon leads the coral to turn pale white. While reefs can recuperate once the temperature normalizes, coral can end up dying if the temperature stays warm for long periods.
The report also notes how climate change is a global issue that cannot be solved singularly by Australia. However, this mission encouraged the nation to make use of emission aims that will significantly reduce greenhouse gasses and preserve the quality of water surrounding the reefs. This was listed among the 10 priority aims in the recent report.
Other recommended priority actions are reevaluating the projects that were proposed and increasing financial capacity for the protection and preservation of the reef.
According to Yahoo, the environment minister of Australia, Tanya Plibersek, mentioned that her administration will also rally to have the GBR listed as part of the world heritage sites that are in danger.
However, CNN also notes that Plibersek argued how an unfair spotlight was granted to the GBR. She notes how climate change poses a risk to these types of ecosystems but also mentions that such risk is posed to every existing reef across the globe. She also stated that the Great Barrier Reef need not be put into the spotlight in this manner.
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