UNESCO defers downgrade of Australia's Great Barrier Reef after Canberra garners international support
3 years, 5 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. UNESCO had recommended that its World Heritage Committee add the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem off the northeast Australian coast to the World Heritage in Danger list, mainly due to rising ocean temperatures. “Delegates, we ask only two things: time for experts to see first hand our commitment to the reef, its present condition and our management, and for the final climate policy to provide a consistent framework for addressing the impacts of climate change on all World Heritage properties,” she said from Australia, where she in in quarantine after lobbying delegates in Europe and the Middle East on the decision. Before the committee’s ruling, Jodie Rummer, a research fellow at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, said the “in danger” designation was needed to get Australia to act on climate change.

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History of this topic

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Great Barrier Reef should be listed as 'in danger', UN committee recommends
3 years, 6 months ago

Great Barrier Reef should be listed as 'in danger', UN committee recommends

India Today  

The Great Barrier Reef should be added to a list of "in danger" World Heritage Sites, a UN committee recommended on Tuesday, prompting an angry response from Australia which said it had been blindsided by the move and blamed political interference. Australia's Environment Minister Sussan Ley said Canberra would challenge the recommendation, saying it went against advice given just a …

New coral reef restoration technology aims to reverse climate change damage
3 years, 6 months ago

New coral reef restoration technology aims to reverse climate change damage

India Today  

Marine scientist Deborah Brosnan remembers “feeling like a visitor at an amazing party” on her diving trips to a bay near the Caribbean island of Saint Barthelemy where she swam above coral reefs with nurse sharks, sea turtles and countless colourful fish. From the Caribbean to the western Pacific, the effects of climate change have led to coral bleaching, a …

Intervention 'Could Buy 20 Years' for Declining Great Barrier Reef
3 years, 7 months ago

Intervention 'Could Buy 20 Years' for Declining Great Barrier Reef

News 18  

Using experimental “cloud brightening” technology and introducing heat-tolerant corals could help slow the Great Barrier Reef’s climate change-fuelled decline by up to 20 years, Australian scientists said Thursday. 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. …

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef ‘critical’ due to climate change
4 years ago

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef ‘critical’ due to climate change

Al Jazeera  

International Union for Conservation of Nature report says more than a third of world’s heritage sites are of ‘significant concern’ or ‘critical’. The health of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem, is in a critical state and deteriorating as climate change warms the waters around it, an international conservation group said, warning that more than …

State of Great Barrier Reef deemed ‘critical’ for first time along with dozens of the world’s natural wonders
4 years ago

State of Great Barrier Reef deemed ‘critical’ for first time along with dozens of the world’s natural wonders

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 The outlook for the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef, has been determined …

Climate change damaging more World Heritage sites: Report
4 years ago

Climate change damaging more World Heritage sites: Report

Hindustan Times  

Climate change is increasingly damaging the UN’s most cherished heritage sites, a leading conservation agency warned Wednesday, reporting that Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and dozens of other natural wonders are facing severe threats. Climate change that has lead to shrinking glaciers, increasing fires, floods and droughts, and the bleaching of coral reefs are among the troubles facing 83 of the …

Great Barrier Reef's Corals are Depleting at a Frightening Speed and Climate Change is the Culprit
4 years, 2 months ago

Great Barrier Reef's Corals are Depleting at a Frightening Speed and Climate Change is the Culprit

News 18  

Half of the Great Barrier Reef’s corals have died over the past 25 years, scientists said Wednesday, warning that climate change is irreversibly destroying the underwater ecosystem. “They’re typically depleted by 80 or 90 percent compared to 25 years ago,” report co-author and James Cook University professor Terry Hughes told AFP. The ‘big mamas’ “A vibrant coral population has millions …

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