General News
25 November, 2024
There’s hope for the Reef
CAIRNS-based Reef Authority’s chief scientist Dr Roger Beeden urges the community to remain hopeful but realistic about the future of the Great Barrier Reef.
He has also offered the best tips that day-to-day citizens can apply to help the Reef.
With the Reef right on the doorstep it’s not uncommon for Far North Queenslanders to hear about massive bleaching events, increases in sea temperatures and run-off polluting the Reef but, despite the discouraging news, Dr Beeden believes there’s hope and he says the change starts with us.
“The question I get asked the most as chief scientist is if the Great Barrier Reef can be saved and the answer is somewhat complex,” Dr Beeden said.
“The Reef is very much alive and it’s still a vibrant place to visit.
“Climate change gets translated into all sorts of figures, but the likely average temperature is most important and the projections under the Paris Agreement said we need to limit warming to two degrees and stay as close to 1.5 degrees as possible.
“And yet we’re already seeing major impacts on coral reefs with coral bleaching and the more frequently and severely that happens, the more risk there is that the coral can’t bounce back.
“We had a significant bleaching event in early 2024 but we have a lot more coral cover than many other places and we’re beginning to see more adaptation to these changing temperatures.
“We’re both having losses and seeing recovery, so I would say that there is definitely hope, it needs to be realistic, we’re not just going to magically fix it.
“Coral reefs are already changing significantly around the world, but there are things that we can do, and that’s everybody.”
Dr Beeden said, although it might seem small, the contribution of the whole community could mean a big boost for the Reef.
“Every individual action matters, some matter more than others, so the global energy transition needs to happen, and big business and governments need to lead the charge, but we can also take action on climate change ourselves,” he said.
“Reef Authority also have programs like the Crown of Thorns starfish culling program, we work closely with the tourism industry, and we manage the protection of the park that helps protect the Reef.
“As an individual you can buy local, if you have the resources think about the type of electricity you buy and if you can set up solar panels, follow the rules when you visit the Reef. Only fish in the allowed areas, be careful of where you drop your anchor so you don’t kill the coral, don’t leave rubbish behind, recycle, when you visit the reef don’t touch or take anything, leave only the bubbles.”
