Australia welcomes lifting of UNESCO threat to list Great Barrier Reef as World Heritage in danger
1 year, 4 months ago

Australia welcomes lifting of UNESCO threat to list Great Barrier Reef as World Heritage in danger

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — The Australian government on Tuesday welcomed a draft UNESCO decision to a lift a threat of downgrading the Great Barrier Reef to an endangered World Heritage site. But UNESCO issued an updated a report in Paris on Monday that said it would be appropriate to re-evaluate whether the famed tourist attraction off Australia’s northeast coast fitted the World Heritage in-danger criteria. Albanese’s government and the previous conservative government had lobbied against UNESCO downgrading the World Heritage status given to the reef in 1981. In February, Australia for the first time rejected a coal mining application based on environmental law, with the new government citing the open-pit mine’s potential harm to the nearby Great Barrier Reef.

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History of this topic

Parts of Great Barrier Reef suffer highest coral mortality on record
1 month ago

Parts of Great Barrier Reef suffer highest coral mortality on record

Raw Story  

Parts of the Great Barrer Reef have suffered the highest coral mortality on record, Australian research showed Tuesday, with scientists fearing the rest of it has suffered a similar fate. In one northern section of the reef, about a third of hard coral had died, the "largest annual decline" in 39 years of government monitoring, the agency said. Often dubbed …

Parts of Great Barrier Reef record highest coral deaths due to heat, storms
1 month ago

Parts of Great Barrier Reef record highest coral deaths due to heat, storms

Al Jazeera  

Up to 72 percent of coral found dead on 12 of 19 surveyed reefs in the north of the world’s largest living structure. Recent mass bleaching, two cyclones and flooding have left parts of the Great Barrier Reef with “significant coral mortality”, according to new data from the Australian Institute of Marine Science. In one northern section of the reef, …

Nearly half of tropical coral species face extinction: report
1 month, 1 week ago

Nearly half of tropical coral species face extinction: report

Raw Story  

Almost half of all warm-water species of coral are threatened with extinction -- and climate change is the chief culprit, a new report said on Wednesday. Rising ocean temperatures have spurred mass bleaching events at coral reefs across the world, threatening crucial ecosystems for marine life as well as the livelihoods of people who rely on them. "Healthy ecosystems like …

Fourth mass coral bleaching prompts UN emergency session at Colombia biodiversity summit
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Fourth mass coral bleaching prompts UN emergency session at Colombia biodiversity summit

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Coral reefs are vital ecosystems …

Highest ocean heat in 400 years poses 'existential threat' to Great Barrier Reef
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Highest ocean heat in 400 years poses 'existential threat' to Great Barrier Reef

Raw Story  

The Great Barrier Reef recently experienced the highest ocean temperatures in at least four centuries and faces an "existential threat" due to repeated mass coral bleaching episodes, a study published Wednesday in Science found. "This attribution, together with the recent ocean temperature extremes, post-1900 warming trend, and observed mass coral bleaching, shows that the existential threat to the Great Barrier …

Great Barrier Reef waters were hottest in 400 years over the past decade, study finds
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Great Barrier Reef waters were hottest in 400 years over the past decade, study finds

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Ocean temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef hit their highest level in 400 years over the past decade, according to researchers who warned that the reef likely won’t survive if planetary warming isn’t stopped. During that time, between 2016 and 2024, the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem and one of the most biodiverse, suffered …

Great Barrier Reef endangered by hottest oceans in 400 years, study finds
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Great Barrier Reef endangered by hottest oceans in 400 years, study finds

Al Jazeera  

Researchers say the world is losing ‘one of our icons’ as human activity fuels temperature increases. Ocean temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef have hit their highest level in 400 years over the past decade, researchers say, warning that the largest living ecosystem on Earth likely will not survive if planetary warming is not stopped. Ocean temperatures around the reef …

New drone footage shows 97% of coral is dead in northern Great Barrier Reef
5 months, 4 weeks ago

New drone footage shows 97% of coral is dead in northern Great Barrier Reef

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy At least 97 per cent of corals on a reef in the northern section of …

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suffers worst bleaching on record
8 months, 1 week ago

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef suffers worst bleaching on record

Al Jazeera  

The 2,300km reef is in its fifth mass bleaching event since 2016 with aerial surveys showing the scale of damage. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for some 2,300km off the country’s northeastern coast, is suffering its worst bleaching event on record. “This prolonged heat exposure has caused mass bleaching of coral reef communities observed within all three regions of …

Scientists say coral reefs around the world are experiencing mass bleaching in warming oceans
8 months, 1 week ago

Scientists say coral reefs around the world are experiencing mass bleaching in warming oceans

Associated Press  

Coral reefs around the world are experiencing global bleaching for the fourth time, top reef scientists declared Monday, a result of warming ocean waters amid human-caused climate change. Coral reef bleaching across at least 53 countries, territories or local economies has been confirmed from February 2023 to now, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and International Coral Reef …

Coral bleaching: Ocean heat is driving a mass bleaching event, and it could be the worst on record
8 months, 1 week ago

Coral bleaching: Ocean heat is driving a mass bleaching event, and it could be the worst on record

CNN  

CNN — Coral reefs around the world are experiencing a mass bleaching event as the climate crisis drives record-breaking ocean heat, two scientific bodies announced Monday — with some experts warning this could become the worst bleaching period in recorded history. NOAA predicts La Niña, El Niño’s cooler counterpart, could arrive between June and August this year, which provides “a …

Scientists detect coral bleaching in Great Barrier Reef's far north
9 months, 1 week ago

Scientists detect coral bleaching in Great Barrier Reef's far north

Hindustan Times  

Australian researchers have found coral bleaching around six islands in the far northern parts of the Great Barrier Reef, after a government agency said last week a major bleaching event was unfolding across the world's most extensive reef ecosystem. Great Barrier Reef Scientists at the James Cook University said on Friday they found only a few relatively healthy areas, mostly …

Australia's Great Barrier Reef in grip of 'mass bleaching event'
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Australia's Great Barrier Reef in grip of 'mass bleaching event'

The Hindu  

A "mass bleaching event" is unfolding on Australia's famed Great Barrier Reef, authorities said on March 8, as warming seas threaten the spectacular home to thousands of marine species. Often dubbed as the world's largest living structure, the Great Barrier Reef is a 2,300 km expanse of tropical corals that house a stunning array of biodiversity. Mr. Leck said climate …

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef hit by mass coral bleaching
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef hit by mass coral bleaching

Al Jazeera  

Warming seas are threatening the home of thousands of marine species, but some corals can recover if temperatures cool. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has been hit by a major coral bleaching event likely caused by heat stress built up over the summer at the biologically diverse site, a government agency has said. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, which …

The Great Barrier Reef has avoided an 'in danger' listing, but still faces near-complete destruction
1 year, 3 months ago

The Great Barrier Reef has avoided an 'in danger' listing, but still faces near-complete destruction

ABC  

The world's biggest coral reef system is not going on the UN's list of World Heritage sites "in danger". The fact is, coral reefs including the Great Barrier Reef, face near complete destruction in the coming decades. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has ruled that the climate impacts of several new coal mines can't be considered when approving them under existing …

Great Barrier Reef heatwave sparks fear of 'potentially catastrophic' coral bleaching event
1 year, 4 months ago

Great Barrier Reef heatwave sparks fear of 'potentially catastrophic' coral bleaching event

ABC  

Reef scientist Dean Miller has been diving on the Great Barrier Reef since 1999 and would ordinarily wear a wetsuit in winter, but not this year. Key points: The water on the Great Barrier Reef is "extremely warm" this winter, scientists say A prominent reef scientist fears another bleaching event Tanya Plibersek says the government is working to mitigate the …

Australia's Great Barrier Reef off UNESCO danger list, still under 'serious threat'
1 year, 4 months ago

Australia's Great Barrier Reef off UNESCO danger list, still under 'serious threat'

The Hindu  

A UNESCO heritage committee on Tuesday stopped short of listing Australia's Great Barrier Reef as a site that is "in danger" but warned the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem remained under "serious threat" from pollution and the warming of oceans. UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - in November said the reef should be put on …

Australia's Great Barrier Reef off UNESCO danger list but…
1 year, 4 months ago

Australia's Great Barrier Reef off UNESCO danger list but…

Hindustan Times  

Australia's Great Barrier Reef is not a site "in danger", a UNESCO heritage committee said while warning that the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem remained under "serious threat" from pollution and warming of oceans. Australia has been attempting to keep the Great Barrier Reef off the list as it could lead to the site losing its heritage status resulting in …

Great Barrier Reef escapes 'in danger' recommendation ahead of UNESCO World Heritage decision
1 year, 4 months ago

Great Barrier Reef escapes 'in danger' recommendation ahead of UNESCO World Heritage decision

ABC  

A United Nations body has recommended delaying a decision to place the Great Barrier Reef on a list of "in danger" World Heritage sites, but emphasised it remains under "serious threat" from climate change and pollution. Key points: The World Heritage Committee will vote on whether to uphold the advice in September The Australian government had argued against an "In …

Australia argues against 'endangered' Great Barrier Reef status
2 years ago

Australia argues against 'endangered' Great Barrier Reef status

Hindustan Times  

Australia's environment minister said Tuesday her government will lobby against UNESCO adding the Great Barrier Reef to a list of endangered World Heritage sites, arguing that criticisms of government inaction on climate change were outdated. “If this World Heritage site is in danger, then most World Heritage sites around the world are in danger from climate change.” The report said …

Great Barrier Reef risks 'in danger' World Heritage listing
2 years ago

Great Barrier Reef risks 'in danger' World Heritage listing

The Hindu  

Australia's Great Barrier Reef should be added to a list of "in danger" World Heritage sites, according to UN experts who warned the fading wonder has been "significantly impacted" by climate change. The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's premier tourist drawcards and putting it on the in-danger list could substantially tarnish its allure for international visitors. Australian Environment …

Australia argues against ‘endangered’ Barrier Reef status
2 years ago

Australia argues against ‘endangered’ Barrier Reef status

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s environment minister said Tuesday her government will lobby against UNESCO adding the Great Barrier Reef to a list of endangered World Heritage sites, arguing that criticisms of government inaction on climate change were outdated. “We’ll very clearly make the point to UNESCO that there is no need to single the Great Barrier Reef out in this …

UN panel recommends Great Barrier Reef be put on 'in danger' list
2 years ago

UN panel recommends Great Barrier Reef be put on 'in danger' list

Hindustan Times  

Australia's Great Barrier Reef should be listed as a world heritage site that is "in danger", a UN panel recommended on Tuesday, saying the world's biggest coral reef ecosystem was significantly impacted by climate change and warming of oceans. This file photo taken on November 20, 2014 shows an aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of …

Scientists try to bolster Great Barrier Reef in warmer world
2 years, 1 month ago

Scientists try to bolster Great Barrier Reef in warmer world

Associated Press  

KONOMIE ISLAND, Australia — Below the turquoise waters off the coast of Australia is one of the world’s natural wonders, an underwater rainbow jungle teeming with life that scientists say is showing some of the clearest signs yet of climate change. “It’s going to be a rollercoaster.” ___ RELATED: Damage and regrowth on the Great Barrier Reef ___ Billions of …

Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef show fragile comeback
2 years, 4 months ago

Parts of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef show fragile comeback

Al Jazeera  

Two-thirds of the Great Barrier Reefs sees the largest amount of cover in 36 years, new report says. Two-thirds of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef showed the largest amount of coral cover in 36 years, according to an official long-term monitoring programme but the reef remains vulnerable to increasingly frequent mass bleaching. The recovery in the central and northern stretches of …

What the new Australian government needs to do as Great Barrier Reef suffers fourth bleaching in seven years
2 years, 7 months ago

What the new Australian government needs to do as Great Barrier Reef suffers fourth bleaching in seven years

Firstpost  

The next federal government has to phase out fossil fuel use and exports as quickly as possible, if they are serious about saving the Great Barrier Reef Widespread coral bleaching has now occurred on the Great Barrier Reef for the fourth time in seven years. Global warming means corals are already close to their bleaching threshold, and it doesn’t take …

Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached
2 years, 7 months ago

Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached

Associated Press  

CANBERRA, Australia — More than 90% of Great Barrier Reef coral surveyed this year was bleached in the fourth such mass event in seven years in the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, Australian government scientists said. Bleaching is caused by global warming, but this is the reef’s first bleaching event during a La Niña weather pattern, which is associated with …

Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached
2 years, 7 months ago

Most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy More than 90% of Great …

The phenomenon of coral bleaching
2 years, 8 months ago

The phenomenon of coral bleaching

The Hindu  

The story so far: The management authority of the world’s largest coral reef system, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, confirmed on March 25 that the reef is experiencing a mass coral bleaching event. This is the sixth time that the coral reef system is being hit by a widespread and damaging bleaching event and the fourth time in six years that …

Great Barrier Reef in fourth mass bleaching event since 2016
2 years, 9 months ago

Great Barrier Reef in fourth mass bleaching event since 2016

Al Jazeera  

World’s largest coral reef system under heat stress despite the La Nina weather phenomenon associated with cooler temperatures. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the world’s most extensive coral reef system, is in the midst of a mass bleaching event. “Coral bleaching has been observed at multiple reefs in all four management areas, confirming a mass bleaching event, the fourth since 2016 …

Great Barrier Reef suffers widespread coral bleaching
2 years, 9 months ago

Great Barrier Reef suffers widespread coral bleaching

The Hindu  

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is suffering widespread and severe coral bleaching due to high ocean temperatures two years after a mass bleaching event, a government agency said on Friday. The report by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority, which manages the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, comes three days before a United Nations delegation is due to assess whether the …

Great Barrier Reef suffers widespread coral bleaching
2 years, 9 months ago

Great Barrier Reef suffers widespread coral bleaching

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is suffering widespread and severe coral bleaching due to high ocean …

Climate change: UN panel flags Great Barrier Reef devastation
2 years, 9 months ago

Climate change: UN panel flags Great Barrier Reef devastation

India Today  

It was the silence of the sea that first rattled the teenage snorkeler, followed by a sense of horror as she saw the coral below had been drained of its kaleidoscopic color. This once-vibrant site on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef — a site she’d previously likened to a busy capital city — had become a ghost town, the victim of …

Coral reef safe zones set to plummet, while potential bleaching events loom in Qld, WA
2 years, 10 months ago

Coral reef safe zones set to plummet, while potential bleaching events loom in Qld, WA

ABC  

The number of coral reefs worldwide that will be spared the harm of warming is predicted to plummet within just a few decades. Key points: Researchers predict just 0.2 per cent of the world's reefs will be unaffected by warming at 1.5C Signs suggest bleaching events may occur in WA and QLD in the coming weeks Climate action is the …

Study suggests Australia’s Great Barrier Reef can still be saved, if global warming kept to 1.5C
3 years, 1 month ago

Study suggests Australia’s Great Barrier Reef can still be saved, if global warming kept to 1.5C

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has a chance of survival if global warming can be limited …

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef will survive if warming kept to 1.5 degrees, study finds
3 years, 1 month ago

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef will survive if warming kept to 1.5 degrees, study finds

CNN  

A study released on Friday by an Australian university looking at multiple catastrophes hitting the Great Barrier Reef has found for the first time that only 2% of its area has escaped bleaching since 1998, then the world’s hottest year on record. If global warming is kept to 1.5 degrees, the maximum rise in average global temperature that was the …

Coral bleaching extent shown in new study, with WA reefs suffering more than Great Barrier Reef
3 years, 2 months ago

Coral bleaching extent shown in new study, with WA reefs suffering more than Great Barrier Reef

ABC  

A major analysis of global coral reef health has raised concern about the frequency of bleaching events in Western Australia. Key points: A study has revealed the rate at which WA reefs are being bleached It points to climate change as the main cause of coral bleaching The report includes data from 73 different countries The report, released this week …

The Planet Lost 14% Of Coral Reefs In 10-Year Period, Startling Report Finds
3 years, 2 months ago

The Planet Lost 14% Of Coral Reefs In 10-Year Period, Startling Report Finds

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The planet lost about 14% of its coral reefs between 2009 and 2018, a startling figure that reflects the dire threats to the iconic creatures as climate change continues to ravage sensitive ecosystems around the globe. A new report, released Monday by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, found mass coral bleaching events linked to warmer temperatures …

Government directed science agency to release report early ahead of Great Barrier Reef decision, documents show
3 years, 3 months ago

Government directed science agency to release report early ahead of Great Barrier Reef decision, documents show

ABC  

The federal government directed the Australian Institute of Marine Science — an independent statutory authority — to rush the release of a major scientific report and assist in "leaking" it to selected media outlets, documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws show. Key points: AIMS monitors the condition of the Great Barrier Reef and releases its findings each year The …

UNESCO defers downgrade of Australia's Great Barrier Reef after Canberra garners international support
3 years, 4 months ago

UNESCO defers downgrade of Australia's Great Barrier Reef after Canberra garners international support

Firstpost  

Many in Australia’s conservative government saw the move as an attempt to pressure it into committing to reducing the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 Canberra: Australia has garnered enough international support to defer an attempt by the United Nations’ cultural organisation to downgrade the Great Barrier Reef’s World Heritage status because of damage caused by climate change. …

Great Barrier Reef: Australia avoids UNESCO downgrade
3 years, 5 months ago

Great Barrier Reef: Australia avoids UNESCO downgrade

Al Jazeera  

Environmental activists slam UNESCO decision not to classify the Barrier Reef as an endangered World Heritage Site. Australia on Friday avoided having the Great Barrier Reef listed as an endangered world heritage site by UNESCO, despite extensive climate change-spurred damage to the ecosystem’s corals. The group brushed aside UNESCO experts’ recommendation that the reef’s World Heritage status be downgraded because …

Australia avoids Great Barrier Reef global embarrassment, but the dangers of climate change remain for the reef
3 years, 5 months ago

Australia avoids Great Barrier Reef global embarrassment, but the dangers of climate change remain for the reef

ABC  

When the scientific advisors to UNESCO recommended the Great Barrier Reef be added to UNESCO's in-danger list, Environment Minister Sussan Ley claimed the process stunk. Great Barrier Reef avoids 'in danger' tag by UNESCO Photo shows A Green Turtle swims peacefully among the corals on the Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef will not be added to UNESCO's "in …

UNESCO chides Australia over Great Barrier Reef proposal
3 years, 5 months ago

UNESCO chides Australia over Great Barrier Reef proposal

India Today  

The Chinese host of this year’s meeting of the U.N. World Heritage Committee has defended the body’s proposal to label the Great Barrier Reef as “in danger” against Australian government suspicion that China influenced the finding for political reasons. Tian, speaking at the first news conference since the meetings opened last Friday, said the Great Barrier Reef proposal was based …

Great Barrier Reef in 'recovery' but experts say progress will be threatened by climate-related disturbances
3 years, 5 months ago

Great Barrier Reef in 'recovery' but experts say progress will be threatened by climate-related disturbances

ABC  

The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing a rare window of recovery due to a break in weather and bleaching events according to the latest observations from marine scientists. Key points: Coral cover is rising across the Great Barrier Reef The "recovery window" is due to a break in climate-related disturbances Experts believe the progress could be short lived According to …

Annastacia Palaszczuk asks Scott Morrison for more Great Barrier Reef funding as UNESCO considers 'in-danger' proposal
3 years, 5 months ago

Annastacia Palaszczuk asks Scott Morrison for more Great Barrier Reef funding as UNESCO considers 'in-danger' proposal

ABC  

The Queensland Premier has asked the Prime Minister to match funding for renewable energy jobs and water quality projects ahead of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee's vote on whether to list the reef as "in danger" due to the impact of climate change. Key points: UNESCO's World Heritage Committee is set to discuss the Great Barrier Reef in coming days …

Great Barrier Reef | A fabled wonder in danger
3 years, 5 months ago

Great Barrier Reef | A fabled wonder in danger

The Hindu  

As a fabled wonder of the natural world, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and its diversity of marine life ranging from corals to whales found a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1981. The GBR won a place on the World Heritage List under the World Heritage Convention, 1972, as it has outstanding universal value, which UNESCO defines as “cultural …

UNESCO calls on Tasmania to pause development in Wilderness World Heritage Areas
3 years, 6 months ago

UNESCO calls on Tasmania to pause development in Wilderness World Heritage Areas

ABC  

The Tasmanian Government is again under pressure over its management of the state's World Heritage Areas. Key points: UNESCO has called for a halt to tourism development in the World Heritage Area It wants a comprehensive cultural assessment of the impacts of proposals The Federal Government says a halt "does not make sense" A United Nations committee has asked the …

Great Barrier Reef Should Be Listed As ‘In Danger,’ UNESCO Says
3 years, 6 months ago

Great Barrier Reef Should Be Listed As ‘In Danger,’ UNESCO Says

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The Great Barrier Reef should be listed as a World Heritage Site “in danger,” UNESCO said in draft recommendations, echoing scientists’ warnings that climate change is ravaging one of the planet’s most iconic structures. The United Nations’ cultural body said Tuesday the ongoing impacts of warmer temperatures along the reef — which have battered the structure and …

Australia fights UN downgrade of Great Barrier Reef health
3 years, 6 months ago

Australia fights UN downgrade of Great Barrier Reef health

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Australia said Tuesday it will …

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