A recent analysis using high-resolution drone images showed that 97% of the coral at a Lizard Island reef died between March and June this year. This shocking news led UNESCO to ask the federal government to quickly share data about how much coral died during last summer’s mass bleaching event. "I was horrified," said Professor Jane Williamson, a marine biologist at Macquarie University, who worked with her team to study the massive coral death at Lizard Island’s North Point reef.

Williamson’s team discovered that this bleaching event was one of the worst in the Great Barrier Reef’s history. The main reason for the massive coral death, researchers believed, is the rapid increase in sea temperatures caused by climate change. This event not only killed off most of the coral but also affected the many kinds of marine life that depend on the reefs for shelter and food.

These findings show how urgently we need effective climate policies and immediate action to stop more damage to one of the world’s most important marine ecosystems. Environmental groups are asking for more funding and stronger rules to protect the remaining coral reefs and help them recover. They stress the importance of reducing carbon emissions and using sustainable practices to fight the growing impacts of global warming.

In response to the crisis, there is a growing demand for the Australian government to do more to protect the Great Barrier Reef. This includes stricter controls on activities that stress the coral, like coastal development, pollution, and overfishing. There are also calls for more investment in research and projects to help make coral reefs more resilient from future bleaching events.

Public awareness campaigns are also important to help people understand issues that the Great Barrier Reef faces. Educating society about the importance of reefs and the threats they face could potentially inspire collective action towards conservation. The huge loss at Lizard Island is a reminder of how fragile coral reefs are worldwide and the urgent need for global cooperation to tackle climate change and environmental damage. Without quick and effective action, we risk losing this valuable resource and the biodiversity it supports.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/26/most-of-it-was-dead-scientists-discovers-one-of-great-barrier-reefs-worst-coral-bleaching-events