Two key actions needed to avert impending Reef catastrophe
05 Apr 2007
Today's release of the IPCC report describes a future without colour for Australia's most majestic natural icon - the Great Barrier Reef.
The report states that under a high global emission scenario, 97% of the Great Barrier Reef will be bleached every year by 2050, with devastating levels of coral mortality.
WWF-Australia believes there are two key actions needed by the Australian Government to build the resilience of the Reef in a warming world.
The Australian Government's first priority must be to adopt national targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit the impact on our natural assets like the Great Barrier Reef. WWF recommends:
- Emissions to peak and have fallen by 2010
- A legislated target of 20%-30% below 1990 levels by 2020
- A legislated target of 60%-80% below 1990 levels by 2050
"Australia can not expect other nations to help save the Reef, if Australia itself is not leading on emission reductions," says Richard Leck, WWF Marine spokesperson.
"The vast majority of Australians want our government to act, and to act fast," says Mr Leck.
In addition to setting targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Australian Government must also combating the scourge of land-based sources of pollution on the Reef.
There has been a 400% increase in nutrient pollution, 800% increase in mud pollution and 3,000% increase in chemical pollution on the Reef since farming was introduced along the Queensland coast.
"14 million tonnes of farm mud and poisons dump into reef waters every year - a load that reduces the Reef's resilience to withstand repeated coral bleaching events," says WWF-Australia's Program Leader for Water, Nick Heath.
WWF is calling on the Australian Government to allocate $300 million to reduce pollution and enhance farm productivity.
"The Reef has survived for thousands of years, yet this generation of Australians risks losing it due to the twin threats of climate change and land-based pollution," says Mr Heath.
Find out more
Richard Leck, National Marine and Coastal Policy Officer, WWF-Australia
Phone: 07 3839 2849
Mobile: 0439 814 847
Email: rleck@wwf.org.au
