Five-yearly report says climate change is escalating the threat and window of opportunity for action is now
The outlook for the Great Barrier Reef has deteriorated from poor to very poor according to an exhaustive government report that warns the window of opportunity to improve the natural wonder’s future “is now”.
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s outlook report, published ever five years, is grim. It reports that coral reefs have declined to very poor condition and there has been widespread habitat loss, degradation and alteration that is affecting fish, turtles and seabirds.
It warns that without urgent national and global action to address climate change its outlook will remain very poor and there will be consequences for its values as a world heritage property.
“Without additional local, national and global action on the greatest threats, the overall outlook for the Great Barrier Reef’s ecosystem will remain very poor, with continuing consequences for its heritage values also,” the report states.
“The window of opportunity to improve the Reef’s long-term future is now.”
The outlook report says climate change remains the biggest threat and the danger it poses is escalating. Rising sea temperatures and related extreme events, such as the marine heatwaves that caused mass coral bleaching events in 2016 and 2017, are the most immediate risks.
Continue reading...from The Guardian https://ift.tt/34d0s48
via
0 Comments