Over the past weeks, many articles have surfaced reporting the death of the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef
is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It is the world's largest coral reef system stretching 1,400 miles which can be seen from outer space. Over thousands of years the Great Barrier Reef has been an important part of the Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander peoples' spirituality and culture. Tourism for the reef also is a source of income for Australia, generating $3 billion per year.Recently, the Great Barrier Reef has suffered drastic effects from global warming. Warmer water temperatures cause "coral bleaching" turning the otherwise colorful coral, white. According to the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, "93% of reefs on the Great Barrier Reef have been hit by coral bleaching". Because of this, the Great Barrier Reef has been rumored to be completely destroyed. An article published by The Outside titled "Obituary: Great Barrier Reef (25 Million BC-2016)" largely misinformed the public about the complete destruction of the reef.
Although most of the Great Barrier Reef has been hit, it is not dead. The National Ocean Service reports that "when a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality".
Although most of this damage is permanent, the reef is still alive. The falsely reported article caused many social media users to believe there is nothing we can do about climate change and its effects on the environment. This is not true, many charities, scientists and governmental programs are working to save the reef. According to CNN, the Australian government is presenting a $2 billion investment going towards improving the reef's health.It is important that we put our efforts towards saving what is left of the reef. The social media outcry for the Great Barrier Reef needs to be focused towards minimizing the effects of climate change to our oceans. Although the Great Barrier Reef is under stress, it is not dead, but it is slowly dying.
