Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Now On UNESCO’s Endangered List; Half Of Its Corals Lost Due To Climate Change

by Tania Tarafdar
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Now On UNESCO’s Endangered List; Half Of Its Corals Lost Due To Climate Change

It’s high time that we take global warming and climatic change seriously as it is slowly killing our priced treasures. If you are still living under the rock, this news will be a wake-up call. The health of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is in a critical state and deteriorating to climate change. Yes, if we do not take charge now, the world’s most extensive and spectacular coral reef ecosystem will vanish within before our eyes. UN body UNESCO said the reef should be put on a list of World Heritage Sites that are “in danger” due to the damage it has suffered.

Also read: I Travelled SOLO From India To Dive Into The Great Barrier Reef In Australia & Knocked It Off My Bucket List

Credits: Shutterstock

The Great Barrier Reef Has Lost Half Of Its Corals

Climate change warms up the waters in which the coral reef lies. The World Heritage-listed site has lost more than half its corals in the past three decades. The coral bleaching in 2016, 2017 and 2020 has led to further damage of the animal, bird and marine population. The hotter water destroys the algae which the coral feeds on and leads to the bleaching. Extremely Rare Species Of The Eagle Ray Spotted In The Great Barrier Reef After 45 Years

photography exhibition at Mumbai's Underwater Festival
Check out the photography exhibition at Mumbai’s Underwater Festival

Fishing & Coastal Development Threaten The Reef

Apart from climate change, fishing and coastal development are some activities that further threaten the coral reef. The progress towards safeguarding the reef under the sustainability plan through has been slow, and the deterioration could not be stopped. Coral Reef Taller Than Eiffel Tower Discovered In Australia

The Coral Reef at Havelock Island
The Coral Reef at Havelock Island

Turtle & Shark Populations Declining

Turtle populations including loggerhead, northern green and hawksbill are fast declining. The scalloped hammerhead shark and many seabird populations are also on the verge of extinction. However, efforts are being made to safeguard the reef. HSBC and the Queensland government said they would buy “Reef Credits,” a unit that quantifies the work undertaken to improve water quality in the reef.

Dive With Sharks At Mossel Bay
Think you’ve got the guts?

Let us hope that we can preserve whatever is left of mother nature.