News
“This will kill the Great Barrier Reef as we know it”
UNESCO’s recent ruling to not list the Great Barrier Reef has been met with critisim
After much anticipation, the World Heritage Committee has decided to not list the Great Barrier Reef as “in danger”.
The Australian Government reacted angrily when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) released a draft decision in late June to place the reef on the “in danger” list.
Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe says the Australian Government must take action urgently, to protect the reef.
“it’s clearly a political decision, and not one that benefits the environment at all. It just goes to show that the government with the international fossil fuel industry might have made a deal to ensure that this didn’t go ahead.”
“The Great Barrier Reef has been in trouble for decades. And the UN so alerted us to the fact you know, a decade ago saying that it was on the extreme concern listing. And since then, we’ve had three bleaching. So it’s got worse.”
Senator Thorpe Says.
Environmental activists slam UNESCO decision
The ruling to not classify the Barrier Reef as an endangered World Heritage Site has been heavily critisised.
Senator Thorpe says despite extensive climate change-spurred damage to the ecosystem’s corals – nothing seems to be getting actioned by leaders.
Thorpe and the Greens have been lobbying the Federal Government to take action and save the reef, which has expereicned three bleeching incidents since 2016.
The bleeching to the 2,300-km-long ecosystem was caused by rising ocean temperatures due to global warming.
Areas once teeming with vibrant corals have become lifeless washed-out wastelands, and two-thirds of the reef is believed to have been damaged in some way.
“They’re not basing it on science. They’re basing it on a political decision”
Despite the damage, the reef remains a vital tourist draw for Australia, which had feared an “in danger” label could deter post-pandemic visitors.
Australia’s Environment Minister Sussan Ley had flown to Paris earlier this month to personally lobby member states on the committee, while key ambassadors were invited on a reef snorkelling trip.
Last week Sussan Ley welcomed the decision and thanked the “esteemed delegates for recognising Australia’s commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef”.
News
Trump calls for Iran’s surrender
Israel and Iran escalate conflicts with missile strikes, prompting Netanyahu’s airstrikes and Trump’s call for Iran’s surrender.
News
Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear sites after hospital hit
Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites escalate tensions after a missile attack on an Israeli hospital, prompting Iranian retaliation and casualties on both sides.
Money
Fed signals slower cuts amid rising risks
U.S. Federal Reserve revises economic forecasts downward, expecting growth slowdown and higher unemployment, but still plans rate cuts in 2024 and 2025.
-
Tech2 days agoAI will reduce Amazon workforce, CEO Andy Jassy predicts
-
Money3 days ago
Markets ignore Israeli-Iranian conflict but risks remain high
-
News4 days ago
Iran and Israel on the brink of all out war as oil prices teeter
-
Ticker Views2 days ago
Regime change wouldn’t likely bring democracy to Iran. A more threatening force could fill the vacuum
-
News3 days ago
Missiles, retaliation and civilians caught in the Iran-Israel crossfire
-
Shows3 days ago
Melbourne real estate sees rising confidence and demand
-
News3 days ago
Israel targets Iranian state TV in escalating airstrike
-
News3 days ago
Trump says it was a mistake to exclude Putin as G7 leaders meet
