Great Barrier Reef Could be Permanently Destroyed

Due to climate change and the development of coal terminals on the Queensland coast, Great Barrier Reef could be destroyed permanently, a marine expert has warned.

In a speech at the David Thomas Conservation Oration in Sydney, Professor Callum Roberts will say that the Great Barrier Reef is under threat once again.

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Prof Roberts, a marine conservation biologist at the University of York in England, has said that the threat of oil and gas exploitation on reef in 1960s and 1970s really triggered national anxiety about the reef and grew the movement to protect it in perpetuity in a marine park, News.com.au reports.

Although the park is doing its very best to protect the reef well, it is being subjected to climate change impacts, which respect no borders, he added.

He pointed out that there is a major push towards industrialisation of the Queensland coast for the construction of ports and harbours, particularly coal export facilities.

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Prof Roberts said that to properly safeguard Australia's marine environment, a conversation about the long-term ramifications of a booming resources sector will be necessary, the report added.

Source-ANI

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