Climate Change Threatens the Survival of the Great Barrier Reef ?

Climate Change Threatens the Survival of the Great Barrier Reef : Journal Nature !

KAKALI DAS

The water temperature extremes around the Great Barrier Reef have reached their warmest levels in 400 years. Over the past decade, this has led to an increase in mass coral bleaching events.

Scientists in Australia, after analysing coral skeletons and historical data, assert that the evidence is clear: the Great Barrier Reef is in danger, and urgent action from governments is needed to combat climate change.

The Great Barrier Reef, a vibrant and expansive underwater ecosystem, is undergoing drastic changes due to climate change. Over the past nine years, it has experienced five mass coral bleaching events.

Climate Change Threatens the Survival of the Great Barrier Reef — *The Great Barrier Reef*

Reports published in the journal Nature reveal that rising temperatures now pose a serious threat to the survival of the Great Barrier Reef.

“What is it like to witness a healthy reef bleached?” A scientist stated, “It turns very white, and soon algae forms on the corals, giving them a brownish colour. It’s not a pretty sight.”

Scientists analysed long coral cores—samples extracted from centuries-old coral structures. These cores contain chemical markers that provide insights into water temperatures during the reef’s lifespan.

By combining this data with historical sea temperature records, scientists discovered that temperatures around the Great Barrier Reef over the last decade were the warmest in the past 400 years.

“The high sea surface temperatures are unprecedented in the context of the last four centuries, and we are very confident in our reconstruction,” the scientist stated. “It has been thoroughly tested, and sadly, it reveals devastating news for the reef.”

Heat-stressed, bleached coral can recover, but if global warming continues at its current rate and high temperatures persist, it will have no chance to survive.

“The science clearly shows that the Great Barrier Reef is in danger,” Professor Helen McGregor stated in an interview with BBC News. “We already have the answers, targets, and international agreements. It’s time to set politics aside and take action.”

Even if international targets to limit global warming are met, many corals in the Great Barrier Reef are likely to be lost. However, scientists believe that if immediate action is taken on climate change, some parts of this natural wonder can still be saved.

Why is it crucial to focus on the coral reef? What does it reveal about the broader environmental changes occurring?

“At this point, the study, which examines the last 400 years with remarkable accuracy, provides insights into what was happening on the reef during that time. It aligns with other global records showing that climate change has been raising temperatures worldwide. We’ve recently experienced the warmest year on record, and this will be devastating for many ecosystems, particularly those around coral reefs,” said Mark Eakin, Corresponding Secretary of the International Coral Reef Society.

Regarding efforts to stabilize the situation, Mark explained that there are a couple of initiatives underway. One involves discussions at UNESCO about providing greater protection for the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage site. However, it is surprising that, at this point, they have not yet classified it as a World Heritage site at risk, given the clear evidence showing the increasing threat to the reef.

What is truly needed, however, is action from governments, individuals, and large international bodies to transition away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible. We must stop releasing carbon dioxide, methane, and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere.

“So, more urgency is needed,” he said. “I’m sure many campaigners would agree with that message. While we’ve been hearing about coral reefs dying off, is there any sign of recovery? There is some recovery, but the issue with large bleaching events, like the ones we’ve seen in recent years, is that most of the corals in an area die off. Then, the fast-growing corals begin to return.”

“What we see in terms of recovery are the fast-growing, weedy corals,” Mark said. “However, the 500-year-old corals, like the ones used in the study—those 400-year-old corals—take centuries to grow. You can’t restore them in just a few years.”

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