China has denied using the controversy of the Great Barrier Reef to advance its political agenda against Australia.

The Great Barrier Reef has been added to the list of World Heritage sites that face the danger of being put on the endangered list. The recommendation was made as the reef lost almost half of its corals since 1995.

Australia has strongly criticised the move and blamed global warming for this loss of the heritage site. It was rumoured that Australia believed China had pressed to have the Great Barrier Reef listed as endangered. China, however, has attacked the Australian government for making allegations and has asked to check its own reports and actions first.

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"Australia should fulfill its obligations to protect world heritage sites instead of making baseless accusations against other member states," Deputy education minister Tian Xuejun said.

Tian is chairing this year’s UN cultural agency’s heritage committee meeting. It has come at a time when China and Australia have been locked in years of diplomatic war, which has worsened the trade and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Australia has accused China of using its power to force the Reef on the endangered list. Australia claims it has spent billions of dollars to clean up the area and has blamed global warming for the mass coral bleaching.

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However, the UNESCO committee concluded that pollution was one of the main sources of the decline of the quality of the reef, and therefore it should be added to the endangered list a claim Australia has strongly opposed.

"Politics have subverted a proper process and for the World Heritage Committee to not even foreshadow this listing is, I think, appalling," Australia's Environment Minister Sussan Ley earlier said.

Dismissing Australia’s claims, China said "the recommendation to include the Great Barrier Reef on the endangered list was made after an evaluation by the UICN."

China has denied using the controversy of the Great Barrier Reef to advance its political agenda against Australia. The Great Barrier Reef has been added to the list of World Heritage sites that face the danger of being put on the endangered list.

China has denied using the controversy of the Great Barrier Reef to advance its political agenda against Australia. The Great Barrier Reef has been added to the list of World Heritage sites that face the danger of being put on the endangered list. The recommendation was made as the reef lost almost half of its corals since 1995. Australia has strongly criticised the move and blamed global warming for this loss of the heritage site. It was rumoured that Australia believed China had pressed to have the Great Barrier Reef listed as endangered. China, however, has attacked the Australian government for making allegations and has asked to check its own reports and actions first. Also read | Many leaders slept on climate crisis. Will they act on what they feel on their skins now? "Australia should fulfill its obligations to protect world heritage sites instead of making baseless accusations against other member states," Deputy education minister Tian Xuejun said. Tian is chairing this year’s UN cultural agency’s heritage committee meeting. It has come at a time when China and Australia have been locked in years of diplomatic war, which has worsened the trade and diplomatic ties between the two countries. Australia has accused China of using its power to force the Reef on the endangered list. Australia claims it has spent billions of dollars to clean up the area and has blamed global warming for the mass coral bleaching. Also read | Repairing hearts with deadly spider venom? Scientists make unique discovery However, the UNESCO committee concluded that pollution was one of the main sources of the decline of the quality of the reef, and therefore it should be added to the endangered list a claim Australia has strongly opposed. "Politics have subverted a proper process and for the World Heritage Committee to not even foreshadow this listing is, I think, appalling," Australia's Environment Minister Sussan Ley earlier said. Dismissing Australia’s claims, China said "the recommendation to include the Great Barrier Reef on the endangered list was made after an evaluation by the UICN."

China denies politics behind Great Barrier Reef's addition to endangered list

Australia&nbsp;will take a group of ambassadors snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef Thursday in a last-minute lobbying effort to keep the World Heritage site off UNESCO's endangered list.

The United Nations cultural agency last month recommended that the world's largest reef system,&nbsp;and a jewel in&nbsp;Australia's tourism crown, be downgraded because of damage to the corals, chiefly from climate change.

That threat angered&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;and sparked an intense lobbying campaign ahead of UNESCO's virtual meeting hosted by China starting Friday, where a vote will be held on downgrading the reef to "World Heritage In Danger" status.

Ambassadors from the European Union and more than a dozen countries,&nbsp;including members of the World Heritage Committee who could help sway the outcome,&nbsp;will be ferried to Agincourt Reef, a popular site off&nbsp;Australia's northeast coast, the government's special reef envoy told AFP.

"They'll be able to see for themselves the beauty and the diversity of it and the importance of making sure that we look after it. And we look after it well," Warren Entsch said.

The conservative MP said&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;had made "significant" moves to lower carbon emissions but could not save the reef on its own, urging big-polluting "northern hemisphere" nations to also do more.

Placement on the endangered list is not considered a sanction but it is seen as a dishonour by some countries and there are&nbsp;fears the reef's appeal to tourists could be impacted.

Aside from its inestimable natural, scientific and environmental value, the 2,300-kilometre-long (1,400-mile) reef was worth an estimated US$4.8 billion a year in tourism revenue for the Australian economy before the coronavirus pandemic.

The trip comes as Environment Minister Sussan Ley holds a series of meetings with World Heritage Committee member countries and UNESCO representatives in Europe, which a spokesperson described as "productive discussions".

"Australia's position remains that the draft listing process did not include the proper consultation... was not made on the basis of the latest information and did not follow the proper process," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

Environmental campaigners have said the threat to the Great Barrier Reef's heritage status highlights&nbsp;Australia's lack of action to curb the carbon emissions which contribute to global warming.

Canberra has resisted calls to commit to net zero emissions by 2050, but now says it hopes to meet the target "as soon as possible" without harming its commodity-dependent economy.

Placed on the World Heritage list in 1981, the Great Barrier Reef is one of seven sites threatened with a downgrade due to ecological damage, overdevelopment, overtourism or security concerns.

Australia will take a group of ambassadors snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef Thursday in a last-minute lobbying effort to keep the World Heritage site off UNESCO's endangered list.

Australia will take a group of ambassadors snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef Thursday in a last-minute lobbying effort to keep the World Heritage site off UNESCO's endangered list. The United Nations cultural agency last month recommended that the world's largest reef system, and a jewel in Australia's tourism crown, be downgraded because of damage to the corals, chiefly from climate change. That threat angered Australia and sparked an intense lobbying campaign ahead of UNESCO's virtual meeting hosted by China starting Friday, where a vote will be held on downgrading the reef to "World Heritage In Danger" status. Ambassadors from the European Union and more than a dozen countries, including members of the World Heritage Committee who could help sway the outcome, will be ferried to Agincourt Reef, a popular site off Australia's northeast coast, the government's special reef envoy told AFP. "They'll be able to see for themselves the beauty and the diversity of it and the importance of making sure that we look after it. And we look after it well," Warren Entsch said. The conservative MP said Australia had made "significant" moves to lower carbon emissions but could not save the reef on its own, urging big-polluting "northern hemisphere" nations to also do more. Placement on the endangered list is not considered a sanction but it is seen as a dishonour by some countries and there are fears the reef's appeal to tourists could be impacted. Aside from its inestimable natural, scientific and environmental value, the 2,300-kilometre-long (1,400-mile) reef was worth an estimated US$4.8 billion a year in tourism revenue for the Australian economy before the coronavirus pandemic. The trip comes as Environment Minister Sussan Ley holds a series of meetings with World Heritage Committee member countries and UNESCO representatives in Europe, which a spokesperson described as "productive discussions". "Australia's position remains that the draft listing process did not include the proper consultation... was not made on the basis of the latest information and did not follow the proper process," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Environmental campaigners have said the threat to the Great Barrier Reef's heritage status highlights Australia's lack of action to curb the carbon emissions which contribute to global warming. Canberra has resisted calls to commit to net zero emissions by 2050, but now says it hopes to meet the target "as soon as possible" without harming its commodity-dependent economy. Placed on the World Heritage list in 1981, the Great Barrier Reef is one of seven sites threatened with a downgrade due to ecological damage, overdevelopment, overtourism or security concerns.

Australia to take ambassadors snorkelling to save Great Barrier Reef status

A UNESCO panel has recommended that the Great Barrier Reef be stripped of its World Heritage Site tag. Australia is blaming the China-led panel for settling a political score at UNESCO. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Great Barrier Reef downgraded, Australia blames China

Australia will strongly oppose a UNESCO plan to list the Great Barrier Reef as "in danger" over its deterioration caused by climate change, the government said on Tuesday.

The UN body released a draft report on Monday recommending the reef's World Heritage status be downgraded because of its dramatic coral decline.

Environmental campaigners said the decision highlighted Australia's lack of action to curb emissions and brought "shame" on the government.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said Australia would mount a challenge after the "back-flip on previous assurances from UN officials", ahead of the World Heritage Committee's 44th session hosted by China next month.

Ley said the decision did not consider the billions of dollars spent attempting to protect the world's largest coral reef.

"This sends a poor signal to those nations who are not making the investments in reef protection that we are making," she said in a statement.

Australia has resisted calls to commit to a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying the country hoped to reach carbon neutral "as soon as possible" without harming its commodity-dependent economy.

The plan to add the reef to the World Heritage "in danger" list prompted environmental groups to highlight Canberra's reluctance to take stronger climate action.

The Climate Council said it "brings shame on the federal government, which is standing by as the reef declines rather than fighting to protect it".

Aside from its inestimable natural, scientific and environmental value, the 2,300-kilometre-long (1,400-mile-long) reef was worth an estimated $4.8 billion a year in tourism revenue for the Australian economy before the coronavirus pandemic.

"The recommendation from UNESCO is clear and unequivocal that the Australian government is not doing enough to protect our greatest natural asset, especially on climate change," said WWF head of oceans Richard Leck.

In December, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said climate change had become the biggest threat to UN-listed natural world heritage sites and pushed the reef into "critical" condition.

Australia's own government had already downgraded the reef's long-term outlook to "very poor" after back-to-back mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017.

Bleaching occurs when changes in ocean temperatures stress healthy corals, causing them to expel algae living in their tissues -- draining them of their vibrant colours.

"I agree that global climate change is the single biggest threat to the world's reefs but it is wrong, in our view, to single out the best-managed reef in the world for an 'in danger' listing," Ley said.

The Great Barrier Reef has now suffered three mass coral bleaching events in the past five years, losing half its corals since 1995 as ocean temperatures have climbed.

The reef has also been battered by several cyclones as climate change drives more extreme weather and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish -- which eat the coral -- in recent decades.

Australia will strongly oppose a UNESCO plan to list the Great Barrier Reef as "in danger" over its deterioration caused by climate change, the government said on Tuesday.

Australia will strongly oppose a UNESCO plan to list the Great Barrier Reef as "in danger" over its deterioration caused by climate change, the government said on Tuesday. The UN body released a draft report on Monday recommending the reef's World Heritage status be downgraded because of its dramatic coral decline. Environmental campaigners said the decision highlighted Australia's lack of action to curb emissions and brought "shame" on the government. Environment Minister Sussan Ley said Australia would mount a challenge after the "back-flip on previous assurances from UN officials", ahead of the World Heritage Committee's 44th session hosted by China next month. Ley said the decision did not consider the billions of dollars spent attempting to protect the world's largest coral reef. "This sends a poor signal to those nations who are not making the investments in reef protection that we are making," she said in a statement. Australia has resisted calls to commit to a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying the country hoped to reach carbon neutral "as soon as possible" without harming its commodity-dependent economy. The plan to add the reef to the World Heritage "in danger" list prompted environmental groups to highlight Canberra's reluctance to take stronger climate action. The Climate Council said it "brings shame on the federal government, which is standing by as the reef declines rather than fighting to protect it". Aside from its inestimable natural, scientific and environmental value, the 2,300-kilometre-long (1,400-mile-long) reef was worth an estimated $4.8 billion a year in tourism revenue for the Australian economy before the coronavirus pandemic. "The recommendation from UNESCO is clear and unequivocal that the Australian government is not doing enough to protect our greatest natural asset, especially on climate change," said WWF head of oceans Richard Leck. In December, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said climate change had become the biggest threat to UN-listed natural world heritage sites and pushed the reef into "critical" condition. Australia's own government had already downgraded the reef's long-term outlook to "very poor" after back-to-back mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017. Bleaching occurs when changes in ocean temperatures stress healthy corals, causing them to expel algae living in their tissues -- draining them of their vibrant colours. "I agree that global climate change is the single biggest threat to the world's reefs but it is wrong, in our view, to single out the best-managed reef in the world for an 'in danger' listing," Ley said. The Great Barrier Reef has now suffered three mass coral bleaching events in the past five years, losing half its corals since 1995 as ocean temperatures have climbed. The reef has also been battered by several cyclones as climate change drives more extreme weather and outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish -- which eat the coral -- in recent decades.

Australia to challenge UNESCO downgrade of Great Barrier Reef over bleaching damage caused by climate change

Corals are essential for the health of Oceans and our planet. Widespread pollution and climate change has caused great damage to corals in oceans around the world. This is especially true in case of the Great Barrier Reef. The huge wall of corals is in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Australia. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The reef faces "precipitous declines" in coral cover over the next five decades due to "intense pressure" from climate change, a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Royal Society Open Science said.

But a new, experimental "cloud brightening" technology and introduction of heat-tolerant corals can help slow down the damage to the reef

Climate change is causing marine heatwaves, more intense cyclones and flooding -- all of which are damaging the health of the reef.

"Coral reefs are some of the most climate-vulnerable ecosystems on Earth," lead author Scott Condie told AFP.

"The model projections suggest that coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef could fall below 10 per cent within 20 years."

Condie and his co-authors modelled the potential impact of interventions such as "cloud brightening", which was first trialled by scientists on the reef last year.

The technology sends salt crystals into the air, making clouds reflect more sunlight to cool waters around the reef.

They also modelled expanded measures to control the predatory crown-of-thorns starfish, which consume the corals and proliferate when bleaching forces bigger fish to leave an area.

"The results suggest that combinations of interventions may delay decline of the Great Barrier Reef by two decades or more," Condie said.

He said there was "clear urgency" to act but acknowledged that the scale of the work required was "much larger than anything that has previously been deployed on coral reefs".

"Any large-scale interventions would require a major financial investment and need to be acceptable to local communities," he added.

The modelling assumes global temperatures will not rise beyond 1.8 degrees Celsius by 2100, which would require governments to follow through on their Paris climate agreement pledges.

(With inouts from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Corals are essential for the health of Oceans and our planet. Widespread pollution and climate change has caused great damage to corals in oceans around the world.

Corals are essential for the health of Oceans and our planet. Widespread pollution and climate change has caused great damage to corals in oceans around the world. This is especially true in case of the Great Barrier Reef. The huge wall of corals is in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Australia. The reef faces "precipitous declines" in coral cover over the next five decades due to "intense pressure" from climate change, a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Royal Society Open Science said. But a new, experimental "cloud brightening" technology and introduction of heat-tolerant corals can help slow down the damage to the reef Climate change is causing marine heatwaves, more intense cyclones and flooding -- all of which are damaging the health of the reef. "Coral reefs are some of the most climate-vulnerable ecosystems on Earth," lead author Scott Condie told AFP. "The model projections suggest that coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef could fall below 10 per cent within 20 years." Condie and his co-authors modelled the potential impact of interventions such as "cloud brightening", which was first trialled by scientists on the reef last year. The technology sends salt crystals into the air, making clouds reflect more sunlight to cool waters around the reef. They also modelled expanded measures to control the predatory crown-of-thorns starfish, which consume the corals and proliferate when bleaching forces bigger fish to leave an area. "The results suggest that combinations of interventions may delay decline of the Great Barrier Reef by two decades or more," Condie said. He said there was "clear urgency" to act but acknowledged that the scale of the work required was "much larger than anything that has previously been deployed on coral reefs". "Any large-scale interventions would require a major financial investment and need to be acceptable to local communities," he added. The modelling assumes global temperatures will not rise beyond 1.8 degrees Celsius by 2100, which would require governments to follow through on their Paris climate agreement pledges. (With inouts from agencies)

'Cloud brightening' technology can save Great Barrier Reef

Australian researchers said that coral populations from their first "Coral IVF" trial on the Great Barrier Reef in 2016 have not only survived recent bleaching events, but are on track to reproduce and spawn next year.

'Coral IVF' trial on Great Barrier Reef a blossoming success, Australian researchers say

The health of Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in a critical state and deteriorating as climate change warms up the waters in which it lies.

The World Heritage-listed site off Australia's northeastern coast has lost more than half its coral in the past three decades.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, coral-bleaching in 2016, 2017 and 2020 has further damaged its health and affected its animal, bird and marine population. Such bleaching occurs when hotter water destroys the algae which the coral feeds on, causing it to turn white.

The union moved the reef's status to critical and deteriorating on its watchlist.

Some activities which threaten it, like fishing and coastal development, can be tackled by the management authorities, the union said.

Progress towards safeguarding the reef under a long-term sustainability plan through to 2050 has been slow and it has not been possible to stop its deterioration, it said.

The turtle populations - including loggerhead, hawksbill and northern green - as well as the scalloped hammerhead shark, many seabird populations and possibly some dolphin species are declining.

Efforts to safeguard the reef are rising, however. HSBC and the Queensland government said in October they would buy "Reef Credits", a tradable unit that quantifies and values the work undertaken to improve water quality flowing onto the reef.

Similar to the carbon offset market which incentivises the reduction of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the scheme pays landholders for improved water quality.

The health of Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in a critical state and deteriorating as climate change warms up the waters in which it lies. The World Heritage-listed site off Australia's northeastern coast has lost more than half its coral in the past three decades.

The health of Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in a critical state and deteriorating as climate change warms up the waters in which it lies. The World Heritage-listed site off Australia's northeastern coast has lost more than half its coral in the past three decades. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, coral-bleaching in 2016, 2017 and 2020 has further damaged its health and affected its animal, bird and marine population. Such bleaching occurs when hotter water destroys the algae which the coral feeds on, causing it to turn white. The union moved the reef's status to critical and deteriorating on its watchlist. Some activities which threaten it, like fishing and coastal development, can be tackled by the management authorities, the union said. Progress towards safeguarding the reef under a long-term sustainability plan through to 2050 has been slow and it has not been possible to stop its deterioration, it said. The turtle populations - including loggerhead, hawksbill and northern green - as well as the scalloped hammerhead shark, many seabird populations and possibly some dolphin species are declining. Efforts to safeguard the reef are rising, however. HSBC and the Queensland government said in October they would buy "Reef Credits", a tradable unit that quantifies and values the work undertaken to improve water quality flowing onto the reef. Similar to the carbon offset market which incentivises the reduction of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the scheme pays landholders for improved water quality.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef status lowered to critical and deteriorating

Australian Great Barrier Reef experts agreed on Friday (December 4) that the government needs to step up in protecting the world's most extensive and spectacular coral reef ecosystem, as an international conservation group also said it was in a critical state as a result of climate change.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef outlook worsens, environmentalists blame government

Scientists in a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society Journal said that half of Great Barrier Reef's corals had died in last 25 years. Climate change is severely affecting the world-heritage listed reef off Australia's northeastern coast.

Great Barrier Reef is made up of corals that support rich and bio-diverse marine life. The reef is 2300 km long.

Climate change has affected larger species of corals which have almost disappeared from far northern reaches of the reef.

"They're typically depleted by (up to) 80 or 90 percent compared to 25 years ago," report co-author and James Cook University professor Terry Hughes told AFP.

"They make the nooks and crannies that fish and other creatures depend on, so losing big three-dimensional corals changes the broader ecosystem."

Great Barrier Reef was an estimated USD 4 billion in revenue from tourism before the coronavirus pandemic.

The reef is at risk of losing its coveted world heritage status because of ocean warming -- fuelled by climate change -- damaging its health.

Changes in ocean temperatures stress healthy corals, causing them to expel algae living in their tissues -- draining them of their vibrant colours in a process known as bleaching.

Back-to-back mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017 prompted the government to downgrade the long-term outlook for the world's largest living organism to "very poor". 
Mass bleaching was first seen on the reef in 1998 -- at the time, the hottest year on record -- but as temperatures continue to soar it frequency has increased, shrinking the reef and making it harder to recover.

The big mamas

"A vibrant coral population has millions of small, baby corals, as well as many large ones -- the big mamas who produce most of the larvae," the study's lead author Andy Dietzel, also of James Cook University, said.

"Its resilience is compromised compared to the past, because there are fewer babies, and fewer large breeding adults."

On top of long-term ocean warming and associated bleaching, the reef has been battered by several cyclones and two outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish -- which eat the coral -- since 1995.

When the starfish occur in small numbers, they are considered part of the natural ecosystem, but when a large outbreak happens, they can rapidly destroy parts of the reef.

While four mass bleaching events up to 2017 were covered by the latest research, the damage to coral species from bleaching in early 2020 is yet to be assessed.

It was the most widespread bleaching on record, impacting swathes of the southern reaches of the reef for the first time.

Hughes said scientists expected corals to continue dying off unless nations met their Paris Agreement commitment to keep the increase in global average temperature under 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.

"It takes about a decade for a half-decent recovery for the fastest-growing species, so the chances of us getting decades between the future sixth, seventh and eighth bleaching events is close to zero because temperatures are because going up and up and up," he said.

If temperatures do stabilise later this century under the Paris target, it is hoped that corals will be able to reassemble and rebuild their numbers.&nbsp;

Even then, Hughes said, "we don't think they'll rebuild into the mix of species that we've known historically".

If the rise is as much as 3 or 4 degrees Celsius, "forget it", he said.

"The trajectory is changing very, very quickly -- we're shocked and surprised by how quickly these changes are happening -- and there's further change ahead."

(With AFP inputs)

Scientists in a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society Journal said that half of Great Barrier Reef's corals had died in last 25 years. Climate change is severely affecting the world-heritage listed reef off Australia's northeastern coast.

Scientists in a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society Journal said that half of Great Barrier Reef's corals had died in last 25 years. Climate change is severely affecting the world-heritage listed reef off Australia's northeastern coast. Great Barrier Reef is made up of corals that support rich and bio-diverse marine life. The reef is 2300 km long. Climate change has affected larger species of corals which have almost disappeared from far northern reaches of the reef. "They're typically depleted by (up to) 80 or 90 percent compared to 25 years ago," report co-author and James Cook University professor Terry Hughes told AFP. "They make the nooks and crannies that fish and other creatures depend on, so losing big three-dimensional corals changes the broader ecosystem." Great Barrier Reef was an estimated USD 4 billion in revenue from tourism before the coronavirus pandemic. The reef is at risk of losing its coveted world heritage status because of ocean warming -- fuelled by climate change -- damaging its health. Changes in ocean temperatures stress healthy corals, causing them to expel algae living in their tissues -- draining them of their vibrant colours in a process known as bleaching. Back-to-back mass bleaching events in 2016 and 2017 prompted the government to downgrade the long-term outlook for the world's largest living organism to "very poor". Mass bleaching was first seen on the reef in 1998 -- at the time, the hottest year on record -- but as temperatures continue to soar it frequency has increased, shrinking the reef and making it harder to recover. The big mamas "A vibrant coral population has millions of small, baby corals, as well as many large ones -- the big mamas who produce most of the larvae," the study's lead author Andy Dietzel, also of James Cook University, said. "Its resilience is compromised compared to the past, because there are fewer babies, and fewer large breeding adults." On top of long-term ocean warming and associated bleaching, the reef has been battered by several cyclones and two outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish -- which eat the coral -- since 1995. When the starfish occur in small numbers, they are considered part of the natural ecosystem, but when a large outbreak happens, they can rapidly destroy parts of the reef. While four mass bleaching events up to 2017 were covered by the latest research, the damage to coral species from bleaching in early 2020 is yet to be assessed. It was the most widespread bleaching on record, impacting swathes of the southern reaches of the reef for the first time. Hughes said scientists expected corals to continue dying off unless nations met their Paris Agreement commitment to keep the increase in global average temperature under 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. "It takes about a decade for a half-decent recovery for the fastest-growing species, so the chances of us getting decades between the future sixth, seventh and eighth bleaching events is close to zero because temperatures are because going up and up and up," he said. If temperatures do stabilise later this century under the Paris target, it is hoped that corals will be able to reassemble and rebuild their numbers. Even then, Hughes said, "we don't think they'll rebuild into the mix of species that we've known historically". If the rise is as much as 3 or 4 degrees Celsius, "forget it", he said. "The trajectory is changing very, very quickly -- we're shocked and surprised by how quickly these changes are happening -- and there's further change ahead." (With AFP inputs)

Great Barrier Reef lost half of its corals in 25 years

Today the world is observing World Environment day and millions are posting on social media about saving the planet and this year's theme is "Time for Nature". Watch report.

World Environment Day: The great barrier reef turns 'white'

Scientists say a giant floating raft of pumice, .about the size of Manhattan, may help restore parts of the ailing Great Barrier Reef. The giant pumice is heading towards Australia. It came from an underwater volcano eruption.

Scientists say giant floating pumice may help restore ailing Great Barrier Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in very poor condition because of climate change, over fishing and land clearing, a state agency said on Friday, as it downgraded the reef's status to the lowest level, which could jeopardise its World Heritage status.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) said the health of the world's largest coral reef system, off the northeast coast of the Queensland state, had deteriorated since its last review, in 2014, but the problems the reef faces were not insurmountable.

"This report draws attention to the fact that the outlook for the Great Barrier Reef, the long term outlook, is very poor- that's largely driven by climate change," GBRMPA's Chief Scientists David Wachenfeld told reporters in Sydney.

"Despite that, with the right mix of local actions to improve the resilience of the system and global actions to tackle climate change in the strongest and fastest way possible, we can turn that around."

The report, which is compiled every five years, painted a deteriorating picture of widespread coral bleaching, habitat loss and degradation caused by human-induced climate change, overfishing, poor water quality, and coastal land clearing for grazing.

The reef stretching for more than 2,300 km (1430 miles) is home to 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of molluscs.

Some parts of the reefs remained in good condition but many species including dolphins, dugongs, sharks, rays and turtles were being threatened.

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee last year called for global action on climate change to protect five large coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef.

The committee is due to consider the reef's heritage listing, considering its health and a possible "in danger" status.

"The Great Barrier Reef is one of the globe's most famous World Heritage Areas yet the report finds that its integrity is challenged and deteriorating," environmentalist group Australian Marine Conservation Society said in a statement.

"This is now the third Outlook Report. We've had ten years of warnings, ten years of rising greenhouse emissions and ten years watching the Reef heading for a catastrophe," said the group's director of strategy, Imogen Zethoven.

"This report will be a major input into UNESCO's committee and here is a very strong case for the reef to be considered for the in danger list."

The inclusion of the reef on the in danger list would be an embarrassment for the government and could damage the tourist industry.

UNESCO's chief of the Asia and Pacific region, Feng Jing, said the organisation was following closely the state of the reef and progress made in protecting it and would consider its status in July next year.

"We would hope that the collective efforts undertaking by the State Party of Australia will bring the change that is needed to ensure the sustainable conservation of the Great Barrier Reef," Jing said in an emailed statement.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in very poor condition because of climate change, over fishing and land clearing, a state agency said on Friday, as it downgraded the reef's status to the lowest level, which could jeopardise its World Heritage status.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in very poor condition because of climate change, over fishing and land clearing, a state agency said on Friday, as it downgraded the reef's status to the lowest level, which could jeopardise its World Heritage status. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) said the health of the world's largest coral reef system, off the northeast coast of the Queensland state, had deteriorated since its last review, in 2014, but the problems the reef faces were not insurmountable. "This report draws attention to the fact that the outlook for the Great Barrier Reef, the long term outlook, is very poor- that's largely driven by climate change," GBRMPA's Chief Scientists David Wachenfeld told reporters in Sydney. "Despite that, with the right mix of local actions to improve the resilience of the system and global actions to tackle climate change in the strongest and fastest way possible, we can turn that around." The report, which is compiled every five years, painted a deteriorating picture of widespread coral bleaching, habitat loss and degradation caused by human-induced climate change, overfishing, poor water quality, and coastal land clearing for grazing. The reef stretching for more than 2,300 km (1430 miles) is home to 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of molluscs. Some parts of the reefs remained in good condition but many species including dolphins, dugongs, sharks, rays and turtles were being threatened. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee last year called for global action on climate change to protect five large coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef. The committee is due to consider the reef's heritage listing, considering its health and a possible "in danger" status. "The Great Barrier Reef is one of the globe's most famous World Heritage Areas yet the report finds that its integrity is challenged and deteriorating," environmentalist group Australian Marine Conservation Society said in a statement. "This is now the third Outlook Report. We've had ten years of warnings, ten years of rising greenhouse emissions and ten years watching the Reef heading for a catastrophe," said the group's director of strategy, Imogen Zethoven. "This report will be a major input into UNESCO's committee and here is a very strong case for the reef to be considered for the in danger list." The inclusion of the reef on the in danger list would be an embarrassment for the government and could damage the tourist industry. UNESCO's chief of the Asia and Pacific region, Feng Jing, said the organisation was following closely the state of the reef and progress made in protecting it and would consider its status in July next year. "We would hope that the collective efforts undertaking by the State Party of Australia will bring the change that is needed to ensure the sustainable conservation of the Great Barrier Reef," Jing said in an emailed statement.

Australia's Great Barrier Reef in 'very poor' condition

The long-term outlook for Australia's Great Barrier Reef has been downgraded to "very poor" for the first time by the official agency charged with managing the World Heritage Site.

'Great Barrier Reef outlook very poor', says Australia

Australia's Great Barrier Reef will receive A$500 million (US$379.10 million) in new funding to restore water quality and protect the coral from starfish attacks, government ministers announced on Sunday.

Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said in a televised interview that some of the money would go directly to farmers to modify their practices "to ensure that the reef doesn't get the large amounts of sediment, nitrogen and pesticide run-off which is so damaging to coral and which helps breed this crown-of-thorns starfish."

The Great Barrier Reef, which can be seen from space, covers 348,000 square kilometres and was world-heritage listed in 1981 as the most spectacular coral reef on the planet, according to the website of the United Nations cultural body UNESCO.

UNESCO considered putting it on the "in danger" list last year due to recent widespread destruction but voted against it, allowing Australia's conservative government to dodge political embarrassment and potential damage to the country's tourism industry.

A major outbreak of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish has been destroying areas of the world heritage-listed reef, prompting a major cull in January.

The predator starfish feeds on corals by spreading its stomach over them and using digestive enzymes to liquefy tissue.

Agricultural run-off from sugar cane farms and cattle stations has also harmed the section of reef that is closest to shore, according to Bradley Opdyke, a marine scientist at the Australian National University.

"What happens with the sediment is it just smothers it, while higher nutrients cause algae to out-compete the corals," he told Reuters by telephone on Sunday.

While the funding announcement was welcomed by scientists, some were sceptical about whether it would actually help.

Jon Brodie, a professor at James Cook University's Coral Reef Studies Centre of Excellence said the funding was an extension of existing failed programs.

"It's not working, it's not achieving major water quality improvements," he told Reuters by telephone on Sunday.

However, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that Australia was a world leader in managing and protecting its reef, as the government's Reef 2050 plan had been approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as being the standard for the rest of the world to follow.

"They look to Australia to provide the technical expertise with the scientific research and to give the best practice management of coral reefs and that's what we demonstrate," she told reporters on Sunday from Cairns on Australia's east coast.

The Great Barrier Reef, which can be seen from space, covers 348,000 square kilometres and was world-heritage listed in 1981 as the most spectacular coral reef on the planet, according to the website of the United Nations cultural body UNESCO

Australia's Great Barrier Reef will receive A$500 million (US$379.10 million) in new funding to restore water quality and protect the coral from starfish attacks, government ministers announced on Sunday. Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said in a televised interview that some of the money would go directly to farmers to modify their practices "to ensure that the reef doesn't get the large amounts of sediment, nitrogen and pesticide run-off which is so damaging to coral and which helps breed this crown-of-thorns starfish." The Great Barrier Reef, which can be seen from space, covers 348,000 square kilometres and was world-heritage listed in 1981 as the most spectacular coral reef on the planet, according to the website of the United Nations cultural body UNESCO. UNESCO considered putting it on the "in danger" list last year due to recent widespread destruction but voted against it, allowing Australia's conservative government to dodge political embarrassment and potential damage to the country's tourism industry. A major outbreak of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish has been destroying areas of the world heritage-listed reef, prompting a major cull in January. The predator starfish feeds on corals by spreading its stomach over them and using digestive enzymes to liquefy tissue. Agricultural run-off from sugar cane farms and cattle stations has also harmed the section of reef that is closest to shore, according to Bradley Opdyke, a marine scientist at the Australian National University. "What happens with the sediment is it just smothers it, while higher nutrients cause algae to out-compete the corals," he told Reuters by telephone on Sunday. While the funding announcement was welcomed by scientists, some were sceptical about whether it would actually help. Jon Brodie, a professor at James Cook University's Coral Reef Studies Centre of Excellence said the funding was an extension of existing failed programs. "It's not working, it's not achieving major water quality improvements," he told Reuters by telephone on Sunday. However, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that Australia was a world leader in managing and protecting its reef, as the government's Reef 2050 plan had been approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as being the standard for the rest of the world to follow. "They look to Australia to provide the technical expertise with the scientific research and to give the best practice management of coral reefs and that's what we demonstrate," she told reporters on Sunday from Cairns on Australia's east coast.

Australia announces US$379 million funding for Great Barrier Reef

An ultra-fine biodegradable film some 50,000 times thinner than a human hair could be enlisted to protect the Great Barrier Reef from environmental degradation, researchers said Tuesday.

The World Heritage-listed site, which attracts millions of tourists each year, is reeling from significant bouts of coral bleaching due to warming sea temperatures linked to climate change.

Scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Biology have been buoyed by test results of a floating "sun shield" made of calcium carbonate that has been shown to protect the reef from the effects of bleaching.

"It`s designed to sit on the surface of the water above the corals, rather than directly on the corals, to provide an effective barrier against the sun," Great Barrier Reef Foundation managing director Anna Marsden said.

The trials on seven different coral types found that the protective layer decreased bleaching of most species, cutting off sunlight by up to 30 per cent.&nbsp

"It (the project) created an opportunity to test the idea that by reducing the amount of sunlight from reaching the corals in the first place, we can prevent them from becoming stressed which leads to bleaching," Marsden said.

Researchers from a breadth of disciplines contributed to the project, which was headed by the scientist who developed the country`s polymer bank notes.&nbsp

"In this case, we had chemical engineers and experts in polymer science working with marine ecologists and coral experts to bring this innovation to life," Marsden said.

With its heavy use of coal-fired power and relatively small population, Australia is considered one of the world`s worst per capita greenhouse gas polluters, with advocates urging Canberra to do more to protect the environment.

The reef is also under threat from predatory coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, as well as farming runoff.

Marsden said it was impractical to suggest that the "sun shield" - made from the same material found in coral skeletons - could cover the entire 348,000 square-kilometre (216,000 square-mile) reef.

"But it could be deployed on a smaller, local level to protect high-value or high-risk areas of reef," she added.

"The concept needs more work and testing before it gets to that stage, but it`s an exciting development at a time when we need to explore all possible options to ensure we have a Great Barrier Reef for future generations."

Hard corals, also called reef-building corals, produce a rock-like skeleton made of the same material as classroom chalk - calcium carbonate. Soft corals produce smaller amounts of calcium carbonate.

A report last year from Deloitte Access Economics valued the Great Barrier Reef as an asset worth $43 billion, which included its tourism revenues and indirect value for people who have not yet visited the site but know it exists.

An ultra-fine biodegradable film could be enlisted to protect the Great Barrier Reef from environmental degradation

An ultra-fine biodegradable film some 50,000 times thinner than a human hair could be enlisted to protect the Great Barrier Reef from environmental degradation, researchers said Tuesday. The World Heritage-listed site, which attracts millions of tourists each year, is reeling from significant bouts of coral bleaching due to warming sea temperatures linked to climate change. Scientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Biology have been buoyed by test results of a floating "sun shield" made of calcium carbonate that has been shown to protect the reef from the effects of bleaching. "It`s designed to sit on the surface of the water above the corals, rather than directly on the corals, to provide an effective barrier against the sun," Great Barrier Reef Foundation managing director Anna Marsden said. The trials on seven different coral types found that the protective layer decreased bleaching of most species, cutting off sunlight by up to 30 per cent. "It (the project) created an opportunity to test the idea that by reducing the amount of sunlight from reaching the corals in the first place, we can prevent them from becoming stressed which leads to bleaching," Marsden said. Researchers from a breadth of disciplines contributed to the project, which was headed by the scientist who developed the country`s polymer bank notes. "In this case, we had chemical engineers and experts in polymer science working with marine ecologists and coral experts to bring this innovation to life," Marsden said. With its heavy use of coal-fired power and relatively small population, Australia is considered one of the world`s worst per capita greenhouse gas polluters, with advocates urging Canberra to do more to protect the environment. The reef is also under threat from predatory coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, as well as farming runoff. Marsden said it was impractical to suggest that the "sun shield" - made from the same material found in coral skeletons - could cover the entire 348,000 square-kilometre (216,000 square-mile) reef. "But it could be deployed on a smaller, local level to protect high-value or high-risk areas of reef," she added. "The concept needs more work and testing before it gets to that stage, but it`s an exciting development at a time when we need to explore all possible options to ensure we have a Great Barrier Reef for future generations." Hard corals, also called reef-building corals, produce a rock-like skeleton made of the same material as classroom chalk - calcium carbonate. Soft corals produce smaller amounts of calcium carbonate. A report last year from Deloitte Access Economics valued the Great Barrier Reef as an asset worth $43 billion, which included its tourism revenues and indirect value for people who have not yet visited the site but know it exists.

Ultra-thin sun shield could protect Great Barrier Reef

The World Heritage Site has again come under threat from a spike in sea temperatures caused by global warming

Parts of Australia's Great Barrier Reef will never recover from the impact of unseasonably warm waters, scientists warned on Thursday. Huge sections of the reef, stretching across hundreds of miles of its most pristine northern sector, were recently found to be dead, killed last year by overheated seawater. Warm water caused the coral to expel living algae, triggering it to calcify and turn white, a process known as bleaching. The bleaching in 2016 was the worst on record. The research, published in the journal Nature, said bleaching events should no longer be studied individually, but as threats to the reef's survival. "Given time, coral can recover from bleaching but the problem comes when you get repeated events. With less time between them, capacity for the coral reef community to recover diminishes rapidly," Janice Lough, senior principal research scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, told Reuters. Scientists described the recent disaster as the third worldwide mass bleaching of coral reefs since 1998, but by far the most widespread and damaging. The conclusion is a major blow for Australia's tourism industry, with the reef attracting A$5.2 billion ($3.9 billion) in spending each year, a 2013 Deloitte Access Economics report estimated. The outlook for the Great Barrier Reef has further darkened with evidence of an unprecedented second consecutive bleaching event this year, researchers at James Cook University said. "We're hoping that the next two to three weeks will cool off quickly, and this year's bleaching won't be anything like last year," said Terry Hughes, director of ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. The reef was given World Heritage status in 1981. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Great Barrier Reef will never be as pristine as it once was: Scientists

From glaciers to well-structured cities, some of these stunning places are facing the brunt of climate change and may go on to completely fade away from the face of Earth.

<h2>Great Barrier Reef</h2>

 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/amazing_great_barrier_reef_1-20160926114149.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Source: Sarah Ackerman via Wikimedia Commons
</div>

This reef visible from outer space has been facing environmental challenges in the form of rising ocean temperature and increasing acid pollution. Some level of bleaching may also contribute to the fading away of the Great Barrier Reef in the next 100 years.

<h2> 
The Seychelles</h2>

 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/seychelles-1414983_1920-20160926114628.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Source: pixabay.com
</div>

An archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian ocean, the Seychelles, may soon vanish due to beach erosion.

<h2> 
The Alps</h2>

 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/mont-blanc-1528011_1920-20160926115035.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Source: pixabay.com
</div>

 
The Alps are famous for skiing and other snow sports. Since they sit at a lower latitude than other mountain ranges like the Rocky mountains, they are at a greater risk of shrinking owing to climate change.

<h2> 
Athabasca glacier</h2>

 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/maligne-lake-1449489_1920-20160926120342.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Source: pixabay.com
</div>

Heralded as one of the most-visited glaciers of North America, Athabasca glaciers are losing over five metres of ice every year. The glacier which has already retreated significantly is under threat of complete disappearance.

<h2> 
Maldives</h2>

 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/maldives-1095105_1920-20160926115537.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Source: pixabay.com
</div>

 
Known for its blue lagoons and beaches, Maldives is a traveller&rsquo;s paradise. This picturesque island nation is, however, the lowest-lying country in the world, which makes it susceptible to be completely submerged under water within 100 years.

<h2> 
Venice, Italy</h2>

 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/venice-341468_1920-20160926115743.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Source: pixabay.com
</div>

 
Known as one of the most romantic cities in the world, the city of Venice, Italy, has been sinking for years. The recent severe floods are adding to the woes of this city of canals, which is already in ruins.

<h2> 
Glacier National Park</h2>

 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/st_mary_lake-20160926120022.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Source: Ken Thomas via Wikimedia Commons
</div>

 
Montana&rsquo;s Glacier National Park, which comprised over 150 glaciers in 1910 is left with less than 25 glaciers now. It is at a great risk of losing all its glaciers in the next 15 years.

<h2> 
Dead Sea</h2>

 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/jordan_dead_sea-20160926112300.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Source: Gusjer, Flickr
</div>

 
The deepest hypersaline lake bordering Jordan and Israel has sunk 80 feet and shrunk by a third. Dead Sea&rsquo;s only water source is river Jordan. If the water from river Jordan is continued to be used, the Dead Sea faces the threat of disappearing within 15 years.

<h2> 
Bangladesh</h2>

 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/bangladesh_fishing_2006-20160926111617.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Source: Michael Foley, World Bank (commons.wikimedia.org)
</div>

 
Due to its low elevation and severe tropical storms, Bangladesh is vulnerable to the threats imposed by climate change. Rising seas and major shifts in river flow due to Himalayan glacial melts may lead to flooding of the coastal nation.

&nbsp;

<h2>Taj Mahal</h2>

 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/taj_mahal,_agra,_up,_india-20160926111943.jpg" />

<div class="media-description">
Source: Yann (commons.wikimedia.org)
</div>

 
India&rsquo;s best-known monument, the grand Taj Mahal, has been facing a major threat from pollution. According to a report compiled by India&rsquo;s National Environment Engineering Research Institute in 2010, the protective measures taken have also failed. While the monument may not disappear, it wouldn&#39;t be the same in the next few years. 
 
(Contributions by Ashna Mishra) 
&nbsp;

You need to visit these places before global warming, pollution and other such climate change agents claim them

From glaciers to well-structured cities, some of these stunning places are facing the brunt of climate change and may go on to completely fade away from the face of Earth. Great Barrier Reef Source: Sarah Ackerman via Wikimedia Commons This reef visible from outer space has been facing environmental challenges in the form of rising ocean temperature and increasing acid pollution. Some level of bleaching may also contribute to the fading away of the Great Barrier Reef in the next 100 years. The Seychelles Source: pixabay.com An archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian ocean, the Seychelles, may soon vanish due to beach erosion. The Alps Source: pixabay.com The Alps are famous for skiing and other snow sports. Since they sit at a lower latitude than other mountain ranges like the Rocky mountains, they are at a greater risk of shrinking owing to climate change. Athabasca glacier Source: pixabay.com Heralded as one of the most-visited glaciers of North America, Athabasca glaciers are losing over five metres of ice every year. The glacier which has already retreated significantly is under threat of complete disappearance. Maldives Source: pixabay.com Known for its blue lagoons and beaches, Maldives is a traveller’s paradise. This picturesque island nation is, however, the lowest-lying country in the world, which makes it susceptible to be completely submerged under water within 100 years. Venice, Italy Source: pixabay.com Known as one of the most romantic cities in the world, the city of Venice, Italy, has been sinking for years. The recent severe floods are adding to the woes of this city of canals, which is already in ruins. Glacier National Park Source: Ken Thomas via Wikimedia Commons Montana’s Glacier National Park, which comprised over 150 glaciers in 1910 is left with less than 25 glaciers now. It is at a great risk of losing all its glaciers in the next 15 years. Dead Sea Source: Gusjer, Flickr The deepest hypersaline lake bordering Jordan and Israel has sunk 80 feet and shrunk by a third. Dead Sea’s only water source is river Jordan. If the water from river Jordan is continued to be used, the Dead Sea faces the threat of disappearing within 15 years. Bangladesh Source: Michael Foley, World Bank (commons.wikimedia.org) Due to its low elevation and severe tropical storms, Bangladesh is vulnerable to the threats imposed by climate change. Rising seas and major shifts in river flow due to Himalayan glacial melts may lead to flooding of the coastal nation. Taj Mahal Source: Yann (commons.wikimedia.org) India’s best-known monument, the grand Taj Mahal, has been facing a major threat from pollution. According to a report compiled by India’s National Environment Engineering Research Institute in 2010, the protective measures taken have also failed. While the monument may not disappear, it wouldn't be the same in the next few years. (Contributions by Ashna Mishra)

10 destinations that may vanish due to climate change

Faced with a risk of losing more than a million visitors a year, Australia&#39;s Great Barrier Reef is experiencing severe coral bleaching that could eventually result in loss of huge sums in lost tourism.&nbsp; 
 
The World Heritage-listed reef which teems with marine life experienced an unprecedented bleaching earlier this year that saw much of it whiten and almost a quarter of corals die, a survey higlighted on Tuesday.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;The reef tourism areas are at risk of losing over one million visitors per year,&quot; a discussion paper from the independent think-tank , The Australia Institute said. It added that Aus$1 billion (US$747 million) of potential revenue could be lost if those visitors do not travel to the tropical reef region. 
 
&#39;Loss of tourism translates into loss of jobs&#39;&nbsp; 
Some 10,000 jobs in Queensland state were also at risk from a drop in tourism, a major industry in the area, the survey has added. 
 
The report said last year, about 3.5 million tourists, mostly Australians, visited areas along the reef. &quot;Continued bleaching could not only impact the reef&#39;s status as Australia&#39;s premier international tourist destination, but also impact Australia&#39;s identity as an international tourist destination,&quot; it said. 
 
The 2,300-kilometre (1,429-mile) long reef, the world&#39;s biggest coral ecosystem, is suffering from its worst bleaching in recorded history due to warming sea temperatures.&nbsp; 
 
The institute surveyed thousands of Australians and others from of the major tourism markets of China, the United States and Britain. 
 
More than a third of Australians said they were more likely to travel to another part of the country if the bleaching continued. 
 
In terms of foreign tourists, more than half Chinese respondents, and about a third of American and British participants said they were more likely to visit somewhere other than Australia if the reef&#39;s deterioration persisted. 
 
&lsquo;Tourism and coal mining industry at odds&rsquo;&nbsp; 
Bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures, cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their colour. 
 
The reef is also under pressure from farming run-off, development and the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish. 
 
The report concluded that two of Queensland&#39;s industries -- tourism and coal mining -- were directly at odds with each other. 
 
&quot;Without serious action on climate change and real resources allocated to the reef&#39;s health, the tourism industry seems certain to lose its most precious asset,&quot; it said. 
(AFP)

The 2,300-kilometre long reef, the world's biggest coral ecosystem, is suffering from its worst bleaching in recorded history

Faced with a risk of losing more than a million visitors a year, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is experiencing severe coral bleaching that could eventually result in loss of huge sums in lost tourism. The World Heritage-listed reef which teems with marine life experienced an unprecedented bleaching earlier this year that saw much of it whiten and almost a quarter of corals die, a survey higlighted on Tuesday. "The reef tourism areas are at risk of losing over one million visitors per year," a discussion paper from the independent think-tank , The Australia Institute said. It added that Aus$1 billion (US$747 million) of potential revenue could be lost if those visitors do not travel to the tropical reef region. 'Loss of tourism translates into loss of jobs' Some 10,000 jobs in Queensland state were also at risk from a drop in tourism, a major industry in the area, the survey has added. The report said last year, about 3.5 million tourists, mostly Australians, visited areas along the reef. "Continued bleaching could not only impact the reef's status as Australia's premier international tourist destination, but also impact Australia's identity as an international tourist destination," it said. The 2,300-kilometre (1,429-mile) long reef, the world's biggest coral ecosystem, is suffering from its worst bleaching in recorded history due to warming sea temperatures. The institute surveyed thousands of Australians and others from of the major tourism markets of China, the United States and Britain. More than a third of Australians said they were more likely to travel to another part of the country if the bleaching continued. In terms of foreign tourists, more than half Chinese respondents, and about a third of American and British participants said they were more likely to visit somewhere other than Australia if the reef's deterioration persisted. ‘Tourism and coal mining industry at odds’ Bleaching occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures, cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their colour. The reef is also under pressure from farming run-off, development and the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish. The report concluded that two of Queensland's industries -- tourism and coal mining -- were directly at odds with each other. "Without serious action on climate change and real resources allocated to the reef's health, the tourism industry seems certain to lose its most precious asset," it said. (AFP)

Australia's Great Barrier Reef at risk of losing million tourists annually: Report

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