Australia responsible for the bleaching of its own reef

March 15, 2024

In 2023, the hottest year since records began, the level of heat stress and mortality in northern hemisphere reefs was so severe that the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was forced to update its Global Alert System to Alert Level 5 (after 20 Degree Heating Weeks) signifying a risk of near complete mortality (more than 80 per cent of corals). Shockingly, reefs in Florida Keys experienced 22 Degree Heating Weeks.

By 5 March 2024, Australias Great Barrier Reef had experienced 14 Degree Heating Weeks and was approaching Alert Level 4. Hardly surprising given that in February 2024, the average global sea surface temperature was 21C, the highest for any month on record.

Burning fossil fuels accounts for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. All countries burning fossil fuels are responsible for reef loss. This includes Australia which also dubiously supplies fossil fuels to others to burn. The governments removal of fossil fuels and national action from the revised Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority climate change position statement is unconscionable.

The Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek should be called to account in the parliament.