Photo: Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty
01of 07The Print Collector/GettyThe Great Barrier Reef is a network of 2,500 reefs across 134,000 square miles off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea. TheNational Ocean Servicereports that it is the largest living structure on Earth and is visible from space – though it’s just as mesmerizing up close, as seen this aerial image from 1924.
01of 07
The Print Collector/Getty
The Great Barrier Reef is a network of 2,500 reefs across 134,000 square miles off the coast of Queensland in the Coral Sea. TheNational Ocean Servicereports that it is the largest living structure on Earth and is visible from space – though it’s just as mesmerizing up close, as seen this aerial image from 1924.
02of 07Paul Souders/Corbis/VCG via GettyVisitors explore the reef and local wildlife near Heron Island in this 1995 photo.The UNESCO proposal of potentially listing the Great Barrier Reef as “in danger” would come as “a real shock” to many Australians, World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) spokesman Richard Leck said, according to theAssociated Press.
02of 07
Paul Souders/Corbis/VCG via Getty
Visitors explore the reef and local wildlife near Heron Island in this 1995 photo.
The UNESCO proposal of potentially listing the Great Barrier Reef as “in danger” would come as “a real shock” to many Australians, World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) spokesman Richard Leck said, according to theAssociated Press.
03of 07
Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty
04of 07Auscape/Universal Images Group via GettyThe spectacular system has been on the World Heritage list since 1981, though climate change and hotter ocean temperatures pose an “increasing threat” to the reef’s health, per theAP.The U.N. World Heritage Committee’s June 21 report claimed that unusually warm ocean temperatures in 2016, 2017 and 2020 caused significant coral bleaching.
04of 07
The spectacular system has been on the World Heritage list since 1981, though climate change and hotter ocean temperatures pose an “increasing threat” to the reef’s health, per theAP.
The U.N. World Heritage Committee’s June 21 report claimed that unusually warm ocean temperatures in 2016, 2017 and 2020 caused significant coral bleaching.
05of 07
06of 07WILLIAM WEST/AFP via GettyIn a2015 report, WWF warned that over half of the Great Barrier Reef’s coral cover had disappeared over the last 30 years due to climate change and water pollution, among other factors.According to Reuters, “Australia’s reliance on coal-fired power makes it one of the world’s largest carbon emitters per capita, but its conservative government has steadfastly backed fossil fuel industries, saying tougher action on emissions would cost jobs.”
06of 07
WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty
In a2015 report, WWF warned that over half of the Great Barrier Reef’s coral cover had disappeared over the last 30 years due to climate change and water pollution, among other factors.
According to Reuters, “Australia’s reliance on coal-fired power makes it one of the world’s largest carbon emitters per capita, but its conservative government has steadfastly backed fossil fuel industries, saying tougher action on emissions would cost jobs.”
07of 07
Andre Seale/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty
source: people.com
