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The future of the Great Barrier Reef looks grim because the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority cannot directly protect the Reef from the worldwide threat of climate change. However, addressing local threats gives the Reef a better chance of resisting the effects of climate change. Climate change In the Great Barrier Reef area, climate change is causing increased coral ble ching, sea temperature, sea level and acidification. The Reef’s future largely depends on how well and how quickly the world adopts renewable energy sources to decrease greenhouse gases. Without swift global action, the Reef’s structure and ecosystem will ultimately collapse. The Great Barrier Reef Climate Change Action Plan 2007–2012 This Action Plan aims to build the Reef’s health and limit the impact of climate change. Part of the funding from a ‘Caring for our Country’ program, which has received $200 million dollars over five years, is going towards putting the Action Plan into practice. Pollution Management actions are tackling the problem of pollution entering the Reef. Recent improvements to nearby farming practices have reduced pollution levels in catchment runoff. Revisions to planning and development rules by the Queensland Government address pollution coming from coastal towns and cities. Maritime laws deal with pollution coming from shipping. However, critics argue for stricter laws, better enforcement and tougher fines. I have seen the sediment plume from the Fitzroy River after the big ’90–’91 flood, that was the one that killed all the Reef out here at Keppel Island. It was enormous. Lionel Bevis, resident of Keppel Island, 2007 … much of what will happen to the Great Barrier Reef in the future will be determined by factors external to it and Australia. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Outlook Report, 2009 Coastal development By 2026, the number of people living beside the Great Barrier Reef is predicted to be almost 40 per cent higher. Ongoing careful planning and management will be needed to minimise the impact of pollution and habitat loss from coastal development on the Reef’s ecosystem. 28 Without swift, effective global action against climate change, coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef will become more frequent and more severe. Coastal development can destroy nearby habitats and pollute the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. 29 Macmillan Digital Library: What’s the Issue? Set 2 © Michelle Atkins, Julie Murphy, Greg Reid, Geoff Thompson, Ashten Warfe/Macmillan Publishers Australia 2011 ISBN 978 1 4202 9209 1 Macmillan Digital Library: What’s the Issue? Set 2 © Michelle Atkins, Julie Murphy, Greg Reid, Geoff Thompson, Ashten Warfe/Macmillan Publishers Australia 2011 ISBN 978 1 4202 9209 1
There are two sides to every issue. There are arguments both for and against doing more to protect the Great Barrier Reef. Arguments for hhIf there was more money and there were more people to protect the Reef, better management and planning decisions could be made. hhIf there were tighter controls on fishing, fewer animals would be removed from their habitats. hhIf there were tighter controls on tourism, there would be less damage to the Reef from human activities. hhIf there were tighter controls on shipping, there would be fewer oil spills and ships running aground. Arguments against hhIncreased protection would not address the major threats of climate change. hhIncreased protection could affect Australia’s economy, because it is expensive and some people employed in tourism or fishing could lose their jobs. hhIncreased protection could deny the rights of Indigenous Australians (by restricting traditional activities) and groups such as fishers and farmers. …ongoing efforts by State and Commonwealth Authorities to reduce local and regional pressures must be maintained to maximise the resilience of the GBR [Great Barrier Reef]. Australian Institute of Marine Science, 2009 Ultimately, if changes to the world’s climate become too severe, no management actions will be able to climate-proof the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Outlook Report, 2009 What do you think? Should we be doing more to protect the Great Barrier Reef? 30 Macmillan Digital Library: What’s the Issue? Set 2 © Michelle Atkins, Julie Murphy, Greg Reid, Geoff Thompson, Ashten Warfe/Macmillan Publishers Australia 2011 ISBN 978 1 4202 9209 1
Page 1 and 2: Contents What’s the issue? Great
Page 3 and 4: The Great Barrier Reef is not a sin
Page 5 and 6: The Great Barrier Reef is the world
Page 7 and 8: The Great Barrier Reef is an import
Page 9 and 10: The fragile Great Barrier Reef ecos
Page 11 and 12: Despite fishing restrictions and zo
Page 13: Some issues are not serious now but
Page 17: A acidification 21, 28 acidity 5, 1

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