6th March, 2024
CHIRANJIT MITRA
● Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef is under siege once more. ● Aerial surveys confirm 'extensive' coral bleaching driven by warming ocean temperatures. ● Scientists fear this could be the devastating seventh mass bleaching event.
● Corals have a symbiotic relationship with colorful algae called zooxanthellae. ● Rising ocean temperatures stress the coral, causing it to expel the algae. ● This makes the coral a ghostly white, making it vulnerable to disease and death.
● This isn't the Great Barrier Reef's first rodeo. Severe mass bleaching events occurred in: ● 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020, and now 2024. ● This increasing frequency needs to allow the reef more time to recover.
● Scientists overwhelmingly agree that climate change and its resulting ocean warming are the primary culprits behind mass coral bleaching events. ● The reef's future looks bleak without drastic cuts to greenhouse gas emissions.
● Bleaching events cause mass coral die-off, crippling the reef's intricate ecosystems. ● Fish populations that depend on the reef for shelter and food decline. ● This reverberates throughout the entire food chain and impacts Australia's tourism industry.
● Bleached corals can sometimes recover if ocean temperatures stabilize. ● Urgent action to combat climate change is crucial to give the reef a fighting chance. ● Supporting research and conservation efforts can make a difference.
● The Great Barrier Reef is in critical condition but not dead yet. ● Individual actions and global efforts to fight climate change are vital to protect this natural wonder.