Week 10-2 Bleaching Great Barrier Reef

According to the recent findings, half of northern reef is dying because of coral breaching due to increase in temperature from global warming. Although scientists previously thought the waters would be too cool for bleaching, the worst breaching episode in Australia's history has occurred, and it would take several decades to recover from this damage. The coral reefs brought aquaculture and tourism, employing almost 70,000 Australians and produced higher than $5 billion for Australian economy every year.

However, the Australian government's budget for 2016-2017 reveals their continual support for polluting industries including coal and natural gas, rather than for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by cutting budget on renewable energy development. The Liberal's budget allocation missed out to lead globally with clean economy, providing jobs in public transport and clean energy to tackle global warming. It is is time to stop the polluters and protect essential services like clean energy, education and health.

Resources

http://www.eco-business.com/news/australian-budget-falters-on-climate-change/

http://www.eco-business.com/news/more-than-half-of-great-barrier-reef-corals-dying-as-bleaching-spreads/