Climate Change & The Effect on the Great Barrier Reef

One of the most common questions we get asked on our tours is "How is Climate Change Affecting the Great Barrier Reef?" The answer is simple there are quite dire consequences to the reef if global warming is not addressed, below is an extract from the AIMS website.
"Global climate change is one of the greatest threats to the long term future of coral reefs. In combination with other natural and human-induced pressures, warming seas pose a serious risk to the world’s coral reef ecosystems. Summer sea temperature increases of just 2-3°C for a week or two, or 1-2°C for a month or two, are enough to kill sensitive corals. Australia’s tropical marine ecosystems are already reflecting the consequences of global warming with a 0.4°C rise in the tropical ocean temperatures, including the Great Barrier Reef, over the past 100 years. Further increases in sea temperature will lead to increased coral bleaching and more frequent outbreaks of coral disease"
For the full article click here.