June 22, 2021

Anna Murray 

The Great Barrier Reef is endangered, according to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Committee concluded in a draft report released on June 21 that Australia's government has done insufficiently to protect the Great Barrier Reef from climate change.

The Great Barrier Reef is a large marine ecosystem that covers approximately 345,000 square kilometers and is home to over 1,500 different fish species as well as 411 different types of hard corals. According to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, it also contributes US$4.8 billion to Australia's economy each year and supports 64,000 jobs.

Any reduction in the reef's World Heritage status may result in lower tourism earnings for Australia, as fewer people will be drawn to a deteriorating ecosystem and dead coral. 

Despite the fact that the committee identified the Great Barrier Reef and its network of colorful corals off Australia's northeast coast as being in imminent danger in its draft report, Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment, said she and Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs, reject the listing and that they had called UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay to convey Australia's strong opposition.

Photo:webshot.