Scientists predict coral destruction

[Frankie]

Story Provided by Reddog170. Thanks Shaun

Northern parts of the Great Barrier Reef is likely to suffer severe coral bleaching this summer, the conservation group WWF Australia warns.
A report from the US government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts severe bleaching for parts of the Coral Sea, the Coral Triangle and the reef, WWF said.
The Coral Triangle is home to 75 per cent of all known coral species and covers waters from the Philippines to Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.
WWF's climate change expert Richard Leck said the bleaching would impact on tourism, food supply and livelihoods in northern Queensland and South East Asia.
"The bleaching, predicted to occur between now and February, could have a devastating impact on coral reef ecosystems, killing coral and destroying food chains," Mr Leck said.
"There would be severe impacts for communities in Queensland, Australia and the region, who depend on the oceans for their livelihoods.
"More than 120 million people rely on its marine resources."
He said there would be significant impacts on Cairns and Port Douglas where the reef's tourism was centred.
Large scale coral bleaching was expected to happen regularly if average global temperatures rose at least two degrees Celsius.
Mr Leck said the latest data showed how important it was for Australia to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
The WWF and many other environmental groups have condemned the Rudd government's carbon pollution reduction scheme as weak.
The government this week announced a 2020 carbon reduction target of at least five per cent, but was open to a higher target if a global consensus could be reached.
Source: Scientists predict coral destruction - Breaking News - National - Breaking News

[motocrosstcw]

wow thats no good tell them to start pickin and sending to us reefers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dianezoo]

We were warned.
The message just never got the clout it needed to affect enough of a change. The whole Artic Story is much of the same.

[Adam Black]

Great Barrier Reef coral in crisis - Climate Change- msnbc.com