Great Barrier Reef outlook now 'very poor', Australian government review says

Five-yearly report says climate change is escalating the threat and window of opportunity for action is now

The outlook for the Great Barrier Reef has deteriorated from poor to very poor according to an exhaustive government report that warns the window of opportunity to improve the natural wonder’s future “is now”.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s outlook report, published every five years, finds coral reefs have declined to a very poor condition and there is widespread habitat loss and degradation affecting fish, turtles and seabirds.

It warns the outlook will not improve unless there is urgent national and global action to address the climate crisis. Failure to address what it describes as the major threat facing the reef could affect the qualities that led to it being world heritage listed.

Related: Cane growers support front group working to undermine Great Barrier Reef science

Continue reading...

from World news | The Guardian https://ift.tt/34d0s48