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Australia boasts plenty of superlatives when it comes to its natural landmarks. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system on the north-east coast, is rightly recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Buzzing with biodiversity, it's a diver's dream. But there's a lesser-known record breaker on the other side of the country, on Australia's north-western coast: Ningaloo Reef.
A 14-hour drive north of Perth, Ningaloo is unique. The largest fringing reef globally and another of Australia's Unesco World Heritage Sites, it features a lush oceanic forest stretching along the coast for hundreds of kilometres. From the surrounding remote desert beaches, swimmers can wade into vibrant turquoise waters and start snorkelling amidst colourful corals and rich marine life, including manta rays and whale sharks.
However, this year, Ningaloo has found itself in dire straits. It has been hit by a marine heatwave, causing higher water temperatures that stress corals, leading to widespread bleaching. While there’s potential for recovery, scientists are alarmed by the extensive damage.
This marine heatwave phenomenon, which recently began in the Caribbean, has traveled across the Indo-Pacific, inflicting damage on coral reefs in its wake. Following years of relative safety, Ningaloo has joined the Great Barrier Reef in this year's catastrophic bleaching events. Paul Gamblin from the Australian Marine Conservation Society likens the situation to “a raging underwater bushfire,” stating the extent of the damage is “devastating” and has left many grappling with its effects.
Experts like Dr. Kate Quigley of the Minderoo Foundation explain the correlation between warming waters and coral health. The algae within coral cells, essential for their colour and health, break down when temperatures rise, akin to how a human would feel unwell from food poisoning. Unfortunately, prolonged warming has not allowed for recovery as it typically does after heat spikes, raising concerns about potential mass coral mortality.
Tourism in Ningaloo, which attracts about 200,000 visitors annually, is visibly affected. Tourists describe the experience of snorkelling among bleached, lifeless corals, leading some to lament the loss of vibrant underwater life. Local residents fear that this damage may deter future visitors, compounding emotional distress within the community.
Scientists agree rising carbon emissions causing global warming is primarily responsible for this heatwave. NASA reports that oceans are absorbing 90% of this heat, with recent years being the hottest since the 1800s.
In contrast to the swift action taken to address terrestrial bushfires, responses for coral reefs have lagged. Conservation efforts in Ningaloo include mapping coral health and selectively breeding corals that exhibit greater temperature tolerance, but many experts press for quicker systemic changes to combat the underlying climate issues.
Critics assert that without addressing fossil fuel reliance and emissions, preservation efforts may fall short. The juxtaposition of ongoing fossil fuel projects against the backdrop of struggling ecosystems poses significant challenges for Australia's environmental policies and calls for urgent action. As increased awareness emerges regarding the ecological significance of coral reefs, it’s clear the impacts of climate change demand immediate attention to safeguard these vital marine habitats.
Australia boasts plenty of superlatives when it comes to its natural landmarks. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system on the north-east coast, is rightly recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Buzzing with biodiversity, it's a diver's dream. But there's a lesser-known record breaker on the other side of the country, on Australia's north-western coast: Ningaloo Reef.
A 14-hour drive north of Perth, Ningaloo is unique. The largest fringing reef globally and another of Australia's Unesco World Heritage Sites, it features a lush oceanic forest stretching along the coast for hundreds of kilometres. From the surrounding remote desert beaches, swimmers can wade into vibrant turquoise waters and start snorkelling amidst colourful corals and rich marine life, including manta rays and whale sharks.
However, this year, Ningaloo has found itself in dire straits. It has been hit by a marine heatwave, causing higher water temperatures that stress corals, leading to widespread bleaching. While there’s potential for recovery, scientists are alarmed by the extensive damage.
This marine heatwave phenomenon, which recently began in the Caribbean, has traveled across the Indo-Pacific, inflicting damage on coral reefs in its wake. Following years of relative safety, Ningaloo has joined the Great Barrier Reef in this year's catastrophic bleaching events. Paul Gamblin from the Australian Marine Conservation Society likens the situation to “a raging underwater bushfire,” stating the extent of the damage is “devastating” and has left many grappling with its effects.
Experts like Dr. Kate Quigley of the Minderoo Foundation explain the correlation between warming waters and coral health. The algae within coral cells, essential for their colour and health, break down when temperatures rise, akin to how a human would feel unwell from food poisoning. Unfortunately, prolonged warming has not allowed for recovery as it typically does after heat spikes, raising concerns about potential mass coral mortality.
Tourism in Ningaloo, which attracts about 200,000 visitors annually, is visibly affected. Tourists describe the experience of snorkelling among bleached, lifeless corals, leading some to lament the loss of vibrant underwater life. Local residents fear that this damage may deter future visitors, compounding emotional distress within the community.
Scientists agree rising carbon emissions causing global warming is primarily responsible for this heatwave. NASA reports that oceans are absorbing 90% of this heat, with recent years being the hottest since the 1800s.
In contrast to the swift action taken to address terrestrial bushfires, responses for coral reefs have lagged. Conservation efforts in Ningaloo include mapping coral health and selectively breeding corals that exhibit greater temperature tolerance, but many experts press for quicker systemic changes to combat the underlying climate issues.
Critics assert that without addressing fossil fuel reliance and emissions, preservation efforts may fall short. The juxtaposition of ongoing fossil fuel projects against the backdrop of struggling ecosystems poses significant challenges for Australia's environmental policies and calls for urgent action. As increased awareness emerges regarding the ecological significance of coral reefs, it’s clear the impacts of climate change demand immediate attention to safeguard these vital marine habitats.
